HALLOWEEN

Freaky is the word I would describe for the atmosphere of this night. Maybe because it was or maybe because I just like the word 'Freak'. The whole place was adourned with spider webs and a blood red wash of light that permeated throughout the room. A bouncer with a Jason mask on and an axe. Bar staff who all wore muzzles like Hannibal Lector. I tell you again i was freakafied. Music with organs as you came in, pumpkins and bones hanging from the ceiling, a couple of tombstones here and there.

Anyway back to the main show. Happy hour Gizmo started off the night and f*^% did they start off with a bang. Great vocals from a singer who really knew how to mvoe and rock, this guy not only knows how to sing like the lost singer of At the Drive-in but also how to swing around a mic like he is in the circus... no joke. I loved these guys sounds and you should do, not only because I work with the infamous Golden Lion of Mount Zahir (who you should also take note will be playing some deep dub and reggae with me on thursday, Rubbadub styles make it down boys and girls). Great tight drummer and and amazing guitarist as usual Sham, professional 100%. Real rock, catchy riffs and a whole lot of energy for everyone to feed off...

Next up were 1234x, a band who consisted of a sexy bassist a shy by mouth but not by the sticks drummer and the son of the prime minister of darkness himself (also guitarist for the infamous force vomit). This guy and lovely ladies really brought the darkness to the house with some droning melancholic and atmospheric sounds. They even included 'London Dungeon' by the original kings of darkness, The Misfits. Hats off, capes still in tact.

Valium took to the stage with a unique take on their rock on roll more like disco infected joy division than anything else. With the guitarist and bassist down on the stage they took a difference approach to their performance than any of the other bands. The change obviously had a considerable effect, you could hear screams from the audience as they performed. The singers narrative vocals almost (but not quite being) drowned out by the cries of of the crowd. The vocalist made his presence known above the crowd but for me the one who really shined out (and this could have been because he was the only one visible to me where I was sitting behind the stage) was the drummer, attacking the drums with utter ferocity without any sloppy or throwaway hits.

Ronin closed this evening. True rock stars, the singer immediately came up and told us his state of mind at the time. They had a relaxed feel to them, almost as if they weren't trying, but their music spoke louder than their words, incredibly well put together, more like real rock from a time that is not now, these guys really work well together. On absolute fiend on the lead guitar, this guy was never short of solos (in between downing his beer), the singer never short of completely immersing the crowd in his lyrics, mannerisms and enthusiasm. Captivating I must say. These band really ended off the show with style, complete anti-establishment rock star standard.

Hope to see you all back soon!!!



more pictures soon... stay tuned...