First up were Prom. I liked them the last time I saw them. But felt the lead singer’s other band Parlour, were a better band. But it’s been several months since I’d seen them and have to say I was really impressed. In fact, based on tonight. I think I prefer them to Parlour. (Happily watch either band, both are good). But there was an intensity to the sound, maybe helped by the stark red backlighting, that I think works better.

Mourn were up next. The first thing that strikes you is how young they are and I mean young. I think three of them are 18, but the bassist is 16 (I think). Surely a ‘school’ band aren’t ready for the international circuit?

Well it turns out I was emphatically wrong. This band are already good, and surely are destined to only get better.

Playing 2 minute power punk songs. There is absolutely nothing new or complicated about what they do. They appear to be a group who’s grown up on a diet of likes of PJ Harvey and Ramones who’ve picked up guitars and expressed their adolescent angst through music. In an odd way, it all seems innocent, but in another, that’s what punk surely is. They’re not trying anything other than it they are, four teenagers shouting about the things that piss them off (mostly boys). But it’s done well. Even though they started with three false starts due to technical problems. It didn’t phase them. They just got on with it. In fact, the biggest compliment I can give them, is that I thought a curtain was going to fall and we’d see another much older band were really playing. This is a band, I will definitely watch.

First band tonight were Fake Laugh. They were pleasant but I admit I zoned out once or twice. Their last song though broke me out and was pretty good.

Nai harvest up next. A two person band from Sheffield via early 90s Manchester. They had a very scuzzy sound and put in a great performance. But they didn’t completely connect. But I think they’re worth giving another listen to.

Finally it was Happyness. I really liked their album. But I’ve found it an album of music that works better when the songs from the album come up on shuffle. Tonight, kind of was the same. I enjoyed them. Their performance had some really good moments. But a bit like the album. Most of the time I was just ‘enjoying’ their performance rathe than feeling fully engaged.

Genghar

Alvvays – lovely voice and great catchy music

Alvvays

For a few weeks it looked like the British Sea Power gig at the Cutty Sark was going to be 104. This would have been an appropriately magnificent unusual gig for this magic number. Unfortunately, due to some laziness on my part, I missed two gigs in November and so it at 102. Instead, gig/concert 104 turned out to be Mazes at Birthdays.

Birthdays was a new venue for me. Upstairs it’s the usual Shoreditch, Dalston hipster type place. I don’t dislike hipsters per say. I’m not far from being an old one. I’ve been working with the web for nearly 20 years. But I’ve never been fashionable or cool in anyway whatsoever and to be frank, I’ve never been bothered by this fact. I’ve always worn ‘scruffy clothes’ and occasionally I’ll go a week or two without shaving. But I’ve never set out to adopt the look because it’s the ‘hipster uniform’ – and I’ve definitely never worn trowser that are either too short or too long and rolled-up. So yes, I’m a scruffy web developer. But that’s my natural way, it’s not a uniform I’ve adopted because I work in Shoreditch. Birthdays is one of the venues that’s filled with these beardy hipster types. Crap selection of beers on tap, expensive ‘homemade burgers’ and a selection of ‘craft beers’ – but all from bottles. It’s also designed to look like a dive. You know the type of places, Shoreditch is full of them. Downstairs things are on safer ground with a pretty decent little basement gig space.

The first band tonight was the Cheatahs. This is the third time I’ve seen them and the second time in as many weeks as they supported Metz in November. They have a grunge sound right out of the 90s. Reminding me of bands like Dinosaur Jr that were around when I was at Uni. But because of this I just feel I’ve heard better. I’m afraid I don’t hear anything original in their work. They’re not unpleasant to listen to. Quiet the opposite. They just don’t excite me.

Next up was Fair Ohs. I’d never heard of them before and I’m not going to go out of my way to listen to them again. Although at times they made some interesting music, the lead singer came across as arrogant. I’m sure it’s all part of the show. I just didn’t find the lead singer’s ‘character’ somebody I wanted to watch.

Finally on to Mazes, a band I’d been looking forward to seeing. I’d really enjoyed their ‘Ores & Minerals’ album from earlier in 2013. I thought it had four of five really good tracks. I’d meant to see them support Parquet Courts in November but missed the gig. So it was good to finally see them.

Unusually, they started with one of their strongest, probably strongest track, the excellent Bodies. I think this was a blinding choice to start with. They then mixed new and old material in an enjoyable set finished with Skulking.