Reviews

Once again the confines of the St Margaret's Lodge 'Corbiere Suite' played host to all ages gig on Friday night. Focusing largely on the 'punkier' side of things tonight we were treated to three bands running the gamut of punk styles and one playing a softer kind of grunge.

The Secret Steves.

This grunge act were The Secret Steves and they took to the stage first, at just after eight o'clock. Starting out with a cover of 'Boys Don't Cry' by The Cure, the band were surprised that they got people dancing (including your humble reviewer who is a sucker for The Cure) during their first song. This carried on throughout the set with a large group dancing front and centre through the band's mix of covers and original material.

Featuring songs by the likes of the Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Nirvana as well as their own songs such as 'Internet Freak' the band sounded great. Though it took the vocalist a few tunes to get going, and they had some problems with the bass amp, the band still sounded fantastic and I hope they get back together when they are next all back in Guernsey (even if they did maul the Foo Fighter’s 'Everlong').

The Vietnameasles.

Following The Secret Steves was the self proclaimed "unofficial St Margaret’s Lodge house band", The Vietnameasles. The band as ever played with all the energy of a hamster in a nuclear powered exercise wheel, but once again did hint that if they aren't careful their set could become almost too slick for the style they are playing.

Tonight however they straddled the line well and introduced a few welcome new elements to their set. First was the addition of a guest vocalist for a few tracks, as Neil Ettasse (formerly of Limefire) took to the stage to add his brutal vocal assault to their sound. Secondly was the band's new 'power ballad' dedicated to "a man who died recently, no not James Brown or Gerald Ford, but the real Godfather of Soul, Saddam Hussein". Featuring one of the most unique guitar solos I have ever witnessed, 'Play Your Kerds Right' was a storming success getting the audience laughing and dancing in equal measure.

As ever The Vietnameasles divided the crowd between those who seemingly love them and those who run screaming at the prospect of something a bit hardcore, but I think this is what the band are after. After all you don't play this sort of music if you want to be universally loved.

Lee and Jack of Spat.

Next came Spat, firmly cementing themselves as local punk favourites the band excelled themselves with their 1970's punk aesthetic tonight. As ever bassist James was touching the ceiling with his foot and a half of Mohawk and the band were resplendent in tartan, leather and studs, and this was all before vocalist Jack hit the stage.

Evoking the political provocation of the early British punk movement Jack tonight hit the stage in peak cap, small stuck on moustache and Nazi armband. Though this approach is now a bit passé it still goes to show Spat are doing their best to be in someway interesting.

The pit in full flow.

Musically speaking the band were, as ever, excellent, blasting through a set made up of covers of bands like Anti-Nowhere League and The Exploited and their own material these boys really do sing it like they mean it.

Tonight we were even treated to two new songs, both based on current events, the less than subtle 'Ipswich' and 'Leeroy' went down a storm. The band's set was definitely the most appreciated of the night and provoked the biggest and most violent pit I have seen at this venue, if not anywhere in the island, in a good while.

Spat's sound tonight seemed to be heading in a more hardcore direction, however it would be nice for them to temper this and stick with the original brit-punk sound which currently makes them unique in the island.

Last up were Goldfish Don't Bounce, who sadly fell victim to a the eleven o'clock curfew that seemed to have been enforced on most of the younger group at the gig who all disappeared pretty much as soon as Spat left the stage. The other problem they faced was following such a force as Spat.

Stu and Rhys of Goldfish Don't Bounce.

The Goldfish played valiantly to the small but appreciative crowd but as things continued the room's energy did seem to dip. This didn't seem to be any fault of the band (who continued bashing out their pop punk tunes with aplomb) but more that the room was now looking desperately empty and the bar staff were starting to close up the bar and turn on the house lights, a guaranteed atmosphere killer.

Finishing their set early the band did all they could to keep things going however time was not on their side tonight, but what they played they played well and they seemed to have a good time playing as much as those left had a good time dancing.

In all, the night once again was owned by Spat who were at their ferocious best and who really seem to be hitting their stride musically speaking now they have a few gigs under their belt. The Secret Steves proved themselves a great prospect too, though they didn't really fit in with the rest of tonight's bill and special mention has to go to Goldfish Don't Bounce for soldiering on though things seemed against them tonight.