The Rocks

Art Brut are endlessly watchable because it’s obvious this band have ideas. Particularly frontman Eddie Argos, who chooses to instruct rather than sing. ‘Formed A Band’ – Art Brut’s call to arms – still fizzes and thankfully still feels fresh, and 'My Little Brother' showcases this gracious bunch of misfits knack for a catchy tune and acutely enjoyable lyrics. The enjoyment continues, as the increasingly poppy and always pleasing Tigermoth fire through their set, leaving the newly signed Unstrung to continue the assault. Sadly, apart from stand out track ‘You’ - sounding satisfyingly angry - the rest of the band’s set falls short - the usual rousing front-row rabble of drunk females not providing the usual mayhem this band seem to thrive on. DiS blames the appearance of a peppermint green Stratocaster – I mean, who the fk plays a pep…hmm…best left for another time. Luckily there are no such atrocities of colour and axemanship in **Electricity Comes From Other Planets, who are loud, snidey and biting – again their BYOP track ‘You Stole My Brain’ proving to be the stand out tune of their short and sweet set.

The undeniable highlight of the evening arrives particularly late on in the shape, form and crazed posturing of The Rocks. Fronted by the enigmatic James (who only seems to spend a few minutes with his two feet on the stage) this band are quite simply exciting. After their somewhat erratic debut LP was released early this year, The Rocks prove that their live show is anything but patchy. ‘Celeste’ has the crowd singing, ‘We Got It’ has them dancing and ‘I Won’t Need You When You’re Dead’ swoons and lashes out, as does the grinning, smirking, bounding ball of energy that fronts this four-piece. Apparently Pete Doherty is backstage – no one gives a toss, as Mr. Rocks is triumphantly hoisted through the venue on the shoulders of Mr. Art Brut. Tonight The Rocks show how to make the whole raucous-guitar punk thang – a reference point for all of tonight’s line up– a tumultuously pleasurable experience from start to finish.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Kendall