Gold Sounds - The Lexington

Gold Sounds started off a little bluesy, a little americana. Ooh maybe I'm thinking of Kingmaker, he's wearing glasses and there are some neat hooks in the melody. I think I'll stick with them projecting Kingmaker thing. My attractive ladyfriend reckons shades of The Lemonheads, but with the caveat that she has a limited frame of reference. Or the Shins, she adds.

On stage the singer is hoping to invoke Springsteen, but with literary influences such as Marlow and Fields.

I like their use of keyboards, I'll stick with the Kingmaker thing though, maybe Neil Hannanish vocals.

Ooh, my ladyfriend is dancing, they must be doing something right.

Terris?
The La's?
Adam J Smith lyricism?
Madnessy harmonies ska?

Guitar straps set to four-fifths? Seems a bit dodgy to me, can't trust bands who can't decide between full length and three-quarter lengths. The beast must die.

The singing chap sure can holler. He looks like he's just come from the office, hasn't had time to change but has been looking forward to the show all day, the boss had been moaning at him to get the end of month stats done, but there was no way he was going to be working late tonight.

The clapping intro is a bit iffy. Yeah, everyone was going clappity-clap or clap-clap-clappity, with timing all over the shop, even on stage. Just when I thought shambles would be the word, it started to turn out okay.

It was just the last song with tonnes of reverb, had something of the epic about it, all sparkly and magical. More of that sort of thing, please.

Monster Bobby - The Lexington

Arrived in time for the last three songs and one chord. It was a fine chord, sounded like a D.

Monster Bobby's on stage on his own, with guitar, synth, and sampler, wearing a retro jacket from Shoreditch borrowed from his big brother.

My attractive young ladyfriend reckons he's a bit experimental and avant-guard, she knows what experimental and avant-guard is cos she likes Mike Patton, but Monster Bobby is more twee than him. Essentially he's a bit electro-pop, she says.

I liked his shaggy hair.

Half-arsed Talking Heads dancing, must try harder. Here, take a look at this video.

That sort of dancing would enhance the Monster Bobby experience by at least an order of magnitude

Electrophonvintage - The Lexington

I've always been aware of Electrophonvintage's slightly FM sound, veering towards the Semisonic. Or Beautiful South, suggested my attractive young ladyfriend. Either perfect for a long car journey to the one you love, or I've been watching their 'Where you're not' video too much.

Liked them better when the girl was a full time member of the band, she spends half the show sat at the side of the stage, looking radiant, but not doing very much.

Its magic when she cranks up the melodica. Then again the more upbeat numbers are growing on me.

Their humour was lost in translation tonight. And the lyrics were a bit mumbly, difficult to make out, or maybe I'm going deaf, which is more likely to be honest.

HDIF : Veronica Falls - Jamm

Well, the deadpool's almost overflowing this evening, Swells, Farrah and now Michael Jackson. I had wacko jacko pegged to last until a ripe old age, its a shame really.

Anyhoo, on with this evening's show...

A generation ago I bumped into the junior lifesaver one evening at the 13th Note, I vaguely recall him conspiring to form a Tallulah Gosh tribute band, ginger Allen was to play drums and Enzo Menoni was going to play bass. God knows what happened to those guys, but Wee Patrick followed through and tonight Matthew, Veronica Falls are going to be Tallulah Gosh.

I know its just the reverb on the vocals that makes it sparkly, and Patrick's motown drumming. Or maybe its the girls in the audience stomping along, but its all magical.

I love the way Roxanne is so deadpan when she's singing, then there the merest hint of a smile when she plays guitar, and her little bewildered expression after each noodly bit.

HDIF Ian's championing them, and I reckon there's still time to get them slotted on the Indietracks bill.

HDIF : The 18 Carat Love Affair - Jamm

There's a poster that says Utah Saints are playing at Jamm soon. I've never seen them, should I make an effort to, twenty years too late? They were always a less pretentious KLF, more dance, less art. It'll be worth it for completiests sake.

On stage this evening, The 'Affair are missing their drummer, he's a Glastobore, so we have guitar providing rhythm. The vocals are that boy/girl shouty thing that Sons and Daughters do. They are very relaxed on stage, I guess without the drummer, its not quite a proper gig, but its nice.

The bass player is forgoing his axe and just bears a tamborine and some pink plastic sunglasses.

There used to be this Irish band called Turn who hung around with and were consumed by Idlewild. 18 Carat Love Affair sound like them this evening, but with melodica. Piano and engrossing, stark vocals. They sound like Scunner too, but without the makeup and costumes.

My favourite song of their set is the one where Nobby the guitarist plays a bicycle pump, the atmospheric side of it tramples over any novelty value.

HDIF : Mascot Fight - Jamm

The second band tonight are Mascot Fight. Five lads with this year's answer to indie haircuts, and broadly jangly guitars, bass player with his strap-length set to 'short'.

The wee noodly guitar bit are nice when the rest of the band go quiet. Some at the back shouts out "I like that one". I do too.

I also like the way the keyboard jockey looks comfortable on stage during the songs where he doesn't play. Its usually difficult to pull that off.

Its been so long since I was at a gig, that I've lost all sense of reference points. With that in mind, this mob are 15% tighter than the last band, but 5% less fun. I imagine if they had a CD, it would be mostly brown with blue and gold trim.

I think they sound a little like Wake The President, storming guitars, but with a good sense of space, and wailing.

HDIF: The Give It Ups - Jamm

Its a blisteringly hot day outside, flying ant day in some parts. My first gig since the start of May, it feels like along time.

That songkick website's made me miss live music so much. Going to gigs is such a big part of me, there's a hole that needs filling. And I need another gig under my belt to beat Gloomboy. Its not supposed to be competitive, is it?

So I'm at Jamm in Brixton, was going to bring the missus along, but she's off shopping in Watford this evening, so I'm on my own, crouched at the corner of the bar, beer nearby, head buried in writing.

The first band of this How Does It Feel night are The Give It Ups, still soundchecking, but the weather's nice out, its almost a shame to herd everyone indoors.

I vaguely recall them being jolly good fun last time I saw them, vague memories of songs about dinosaurs.(or was that MJ Hibbett?)

Not sure if this is relevant to the review, but shortly before the 'Ups start I move from the corner of the bar to a dark corner near the sound guy. Here's hoping that before I stick this online, I edit out all the non-reviewy bits.

They start with a new song, a shouty little number called "Why won't you go out with me". The ghost of The Supernaturals would be spinning in its grave, if it wasn't busy haunting The Hussys. I think I'm trying to say the song sounds like 'Smile'.

I like the way the drummer and the bass player swap round between songs, they're like both new band members or something, right?

Also, the band rock out just a little more than I remember from last time, and occasionally invoke the spirit of a Weezer b-side, there's a little of the slacker hip about them.

Aw man, I've got it: -

A cross between Rivers Como and Victoria Wood.

Totally Acoustic: The Lime Chalks - The Lamb

One of the chaps at the front is called Duncan, I follow his twitter feed. I'm not sure which chap is Duncan. They both look it, the tall one and the short one, they both have Duncannish hair.

I think they're nice and dreamy. Ukelele, guitar, melodica, glockenspiel and cello. The same sort of droney sound as Wintergreen.

Okay, not droney, just the way the cello goes with 'Duncan's' vocal harmonies. I guess droney is close enough.

A little serious and musical. I love the occasionally noodley uke, it reminds me of Trumpton.

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Totally Acoustic: The Fighting Cocks - The Lamb

So aye, years ago there was a thread on the old Jockrock messageboard about The Fighting Cocks, debating whether they were a real band or just taking the piss, some kind of spoof. I never clicked on the link, I think I was in an internet cafe and couldn't hear owt. Anyhoo, that was years ago, and now here I am in the presense of The Fighting Cocks.

Almost 'crimping'. Kind of a bit like playground rhymes. Nineties Manda Rin write it?

Lots of giggling.

Played the first song again at the end, which was nice.

Its the combination of dyed hair and undercut that makes me think 'Troll'.

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Totally Acoustic: MJ Hibbett - The Lamb

Who is Black Bolt? Some sulky comic hero, I think.

In 'Lesson of The Smiths', I've always wondered, isn't it pronounced 'eh pit oh me' instead of 'eh pit oam'.

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Cats On Fire - The Windmill

They're a gaunt looking mob, Cats On Fire from Finland. Kind of sound like The Smiths minus Gene, with plinky plonky keyboards. A little bit of Runrig too, when they have vocal harmonies kicking in.

I'm not sure how much like them playing live compared to how they sound on Spotify. At times the sound's a lot richer, but other times the vocals have lost something.

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Je Suis Animal - The Windmill

Have I seen this mob before? Je Suis Animal don't look familiar, they're like one of these PopFest or Indietracks bands. Someone stood nearby is wearing strong perfume. It smells like sherbert, aw man, I should have bought some in the between band gap.

I think Je Suis Animal are from Oslo, they're a five-piece, two guitar girls from the sixties at the front and St John McKeown from the Yummy Fur on guitar on the left side of the stage. Aw man, four of them are on guitars. Its a bit of an overwealming wall of guitars sound, a little Sons and Daughters-ish, but more upbeat, with thems indiepop girl vocals.

Occasional flashes of Stereolab too, it'll be the keyboardy noodles that do it and throbbing driving bass.

The singing girl looks a bit rockabilly.

I imagine seeing this band with the sun shining rather than at night.

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Little My - The Windmill

There was debate earlier this month with my attractive young ladyfriend, about whether they are Little My or Little My pronounced Moo as in the Finnish or Russian pronunciation of y as ooh.

Tonight only on chap in an animal costume, but the rest of them wear animal ears. They verbally confirm the My pronunciation. My ladyfriend will be disappointed.

More strings, treble and reverb than I remember from last time.

They're on form tonight, with twenty-sic people on stage, seventeen of them guitarists, no drummer, and still the violin was audible. Vocals could have done with being a touch louder and the toy megaphone, that I couldn't hear at all. Maybe it was where I was standing.

They're jolly good fun, mind. I rank this as one of the top five shows of their's that I've seen.

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Electophonvintage - The Windmill

In addition to the usual ubiquitous french Electrophonvintage kids, the guitar and drummer chaps from Pocketbooks take to the stage, but Ian's on bass.

It must have been at least six months since I was at The Windmill, its a summer venue, for gigs where its warm enough to sit outside between bands. Familiar faces in the crowd tonight, the rest of Pocketbooks, Camilla from WeePop, Marianthi from Spiral Scratch and El Presidente from Fortuna.

Its very pastoral music on stage. I think I said that first time I saw them, that 'Country where you're not' is probly their most pastoral, everything else seems heavier tonight, more driven.

And I've never noticed how often the girl leaves the stage, did that always happen? I think I prefer the songs she plays on to the ones where she doesn't. The sound man had a little trouble with her melodica, it was like there were wolfnotes where you could only hear it sometimes.

I'm going to have to scrape some of their recordings from somewhere, its good music for car journeys in the summertime with someone you love.

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Shrag - The Lexington

This one time someone left a snotty comment on here or possibly my other blog, complaining that I'd spelt Shragg wrong, so I'm starting off here remembering them as being quite snotty, rather than any preconception of what they sound like.

Its quite clunky painful music. Piercing girl vocals, organ-like keyboards from two keyboard players, and then the obligatory electric guitar, bass and drums.

The crowd seem to like them, roaring after each song and occasionally after hearing the opening chords of songs.

Ooh, painful microphone feedback.

Hmm, maybe I'm getting old, but how can anyone find these vocals nice to listen to? Maybe its supposed to instill pain and flinching? If it is, then they're very good.

I'm getting deja vu, is this what I wrote last time?

According to the last review I wrote, I fancy the one on the right, she's alright I guess.

Lily Allen-like in the slower more reflective numbers, also a little like The Deirdres occasionally, but with a bit of sandpaper stitched to the side. The girlie vox are a mile less 'cutesy' than I had them down for last time.

People are shouting out reviewish adjectives: 'sub-standard' - nah, they're better than last time, just still not my cup of tea.

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Tender Trap - The Lexington

Its my first time at The Lexington. I was being all political earlier in the evening so I arrived here late and missed Arthur and Martha.

The place is like King Tuts but with a higher ceiling. Its dark and its full, there is a glitterball disorientating me. But I see lots of familiar faces. I must break from standard operating procedure and speak with people I know.

Tender Trap are on stage, they are currently a five-piece band, electric guitar, bass, standing uppy drummer, Elizabeth Darling on keys and melodica, and singing Amelia Fletcher.

Former members of the legendary Talulah Gosh and Heavenly. Definitely shades of them in the sound, all bright-eyed and innocent not just the singing, but the melodies and lyrics and stuff. Does she qualify as a national institution?

Very English sounding. Slightly dischordant and a little nervous-sounding, which must be just a thing rather than for real, all things considered.

The ladies on stage look like they're enjoying themselves. Which is nice. I wonder why? Is it cos of the warm appreciative crowd, the venue or just euphoria?

Obligatory mention of them playing Indietracks this summer. Its going to be great in the sunshine.

Ooh, that girl who looks like Heather Graham is here. Its been years since I saw her at a gig.

So aye, my three year old niece is named after the singing girl, warm fuzzy feelings.

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HDIF presents: Hexicon - Jamm

I'd nipped out to get a kebab, my first food of the day, small lamb donner, it was very nice and meaty.

This means I missed the first song or two from Hexicon. Four-piece, two guitars, bass and drums, vocals remind me of Joe MacAlinden. Indiekids probly have a better reference, but I've been listening to Superstar all day, the rhythms sound and the brief snatches of passion come from that place. Although without the keyboards or the epic solos.

Its a bit navel-gazingish and laid back. Ooh, the other guitarist, who played with last band, Allo Darlin, he does vocal duties for some songs.

As the set progresses the more I of a mind of Superstar, the guitar becomes more like wee Jim's, and the monster wig-out at the end just builds and builds and gnaws into your head, with a feedbacky drum avalanche climax.

HDIF presents: Allo Darlin - Jamm

Elizabeth Darling and three chaps on stage, she's stood in the middle with her ukelele and her head tilted slightly to the side as she sings.

Its a kind of breathy dreamy singing that holds the room enraptured. Friendly and smilie.

Her first song comparing a relationship to a Woody Allen movie ticks the sames boxes as usual: pop culture references, characteristic rhymes.

When the chaps on guitar, bass and percussion join in it punctuates the delicate melodies

Ooh, slide guitar.

And for the next song Monster Bobby takes to the stage. "When I wrote this song I thought it sounded just like The Field Mice, even though it sounds nothing like The Field Mice". Monster Bobby sounds like a budget Nick Cave when he sings.

I like the way Elizabeth occasionally lifts one foot off the ground when she sings.

The last song is very upbeat, it starts with drums that sound like The Strokes, its going to be released by WeePop as an orange 7" single. It has amusing falsetto backing vacals from Will the bass player.

Popfest: The School - Jam

Lighter and less rocky than the previous band according to my burd, and she's never seen this mob before.

Ooh, Simon Love from The Loves is playing drums, that's a bit different. Heavier than the previous chap.

And they seem to have lost Spud, the wee glokenspeil chap. I miss him, he disarmed a little of their rock edge.

Its like with My Drug Hell, where you've been listening to the recorded version of Girl At The Bus Stop then you see then play it live and they do it invoking the spirit of rock, is all wrong. Okay, with The School its just a little like that.

Hmm did I write exactly the same thing last time I saw them? Possibly.

"Ah laik it" says my burd.

Popfest: Pocketbooks - Jam

Aw man, I've seen them about a zillion times before, and I still stand by my earlier reviews.

This evening I seem to be stood a bit close to a wall, so the music is very bass and drum heavy.

They announced Camera Obscura are headlining Indietracks.

Ooh, and they have new albums for sale. I've been listening to them play live for a while and their new material has been getting stronger and stronger.

Its a fun crowd tonight, subdued head-bobbing nearby and some genuine jumping around at the front.