Paradise Regained

Paradise is a cool little place near Kensal Rise in west London. I'm there on a Wednesday night to see a band called Smokey Angle Shades. Originally they were called Pat And Nipsy, active in Belfast around 2006-07. Then they went to Liverpool to become The Fools before steering to London and rebranding.

I'm delighted to hear they are making effervescent music and that London is responding in kind. The upstairs room at Paradise is full of smiling individuals who have bought into the four part harmonies, the piano, the fiddle, the facial hair and the thumping tunes. Recent faves like 'Don't Leave Me' and 'Ha Ha Tree' are rudely received while newcomers Ned and Antonio are smartly integrated. Fred still wears the top hat and plays a clatter of instruments with gusto.

A sombre looking fellow in a grey jacket stands at the back. But even he's nodding and approving at the end. He is Geoff Travis, the man who signed Stiff Little Fingers, The Smiths, The Strokes and The Libertines. According to legend, he inspired the song 'Frankly Mr Shankly', so he knows an excellent bit of music hall when he hears it. Travis may be here to watch the headliners, the artfully peculiar Micachu (essence of The Slits, not averse to playing a vacuum cleaner onstage), but the music man is having some bonus value.

This is a warm-up for the Bestival festival in the Isle Of Wight, and while the weather forecast is gloomy, The Shades will be put to good use.