The Twang have played the Varsity on a Tuesday. But they're not here tonight - they've gone onto national fame and have sold out the Wulfrun Hall. Instead we have... Steve Prior | | Steve Prior |
First up was a rare hometown appearance from singer-songwriter Stephen Prior. He sings rude songs with clever lyrics. He sings silly songs about taboo subjects. Darkness and anger. His guitar chimes. He rocks and he rolls. His performance rings true. EsquilaxNext were Esquilax. An electronic noise duo from West Bromwich. The chap with the microphone delivered a painful improvised 15 minute spoken word preamble. It included the words "this is punk". His companion remained hunched over his devices and did not face the audience.  | | Esquilax. Pic: Jenny Moore |
When their electronic wailing static finally began the fellow with the microphone jumped onto a table, sending glasses flying. Then he ran out of the room and collided with a ladder before falling over. I closed my eyes and tried to absorb the noise. When I opened them, most of the audience had left the room. It was interesting. At least they were attempting to push us towards an edge. The MonotonesThen it was The Monotones, an eight piece ska band from Telford. They crowded onto the small stage looking like the brass section from the local youth orchestra.  | | The Monotones |
As they played their songs the audience began to dance. The band were jumping about, enjoying themselves, and it was infectious. The singer's voice didn't stand up too well when they attempted AHA's Take On Me. But it didn't matter, their energetic performance carried us along. What the Moon is LikeLast on stage were What the Moon is Like, from Wolverhampton. Two guitarists and one drummer. The guitars play wave upon wave of feedback. Pop tunes and melodies emerge, and then submerge. Art rock to get lost in, and then to dance around to. Beautiful. More bands at the VarsityFour live bands play the Varsity on Tuesdays - it's Student Night. Upcoming: 5 Jun 2007, 8pm start.
The Singles Club,
Long Nines,
The Berettas and
'To be confirmed'. | 
