Five O'Clock Heroes

After a stressful day of staring at a VDU and listening to someone harp on about the "vocal delights" of Joss Stone, there's nothing better than plain and simple, no holds barred rock and roll.

Which is where 2 parts Anglo, 2 parts NYC foursome the Five O'Clock Heroes come in, because at this moment in time there aren't many bands who go back to basics with the style and substance of these guys.

Far from being just another anodyne Strokes/Libertines substitute, the Five O'Clock Heroes actually reference more than just the obvious relics in "My Cool Dad's" record collection. As well as the likes of The Jam and the Buzzcocks, their cast list also includes the likes of The Cars, Elvis Costello, The Police and 'Life's Rich Pageant' era REM. For every four-to-the-floor footstomper such as 'Give It Up' or 'Goodlovers', there are moments of pristine, melodic unashamed POP! sassiness such as forthcoming single 'Head Games', or its eagerly anticipated follow-up 'White Girls', which actually shows that rock'n'reggae collisions needn't always be as battered as a greasy cod on Skegness seafront.

With the duelling vocal and guitar antics of Antony Ellis and Elliot Thompson, it takes all of about one and a half songs for every girl in the Social to move to the front and adopt the Debbie Harry two-step vogue as demonstrated in the 'Heart Of Glass' video.

By the end, the band seem both pleased as punch and somewhat bewildered. Their radio-friendly new wave pop could just be the soothing antidote the increasingly saturated second wave of new romanticism needs.

1,2,1-2-3-4...

live photo courtesy of Guy Eppel