The Suffrajets

The James Wright band play blues tinged rock. In other words proper music using proper instruments. I would give you three guesses as to the appearance of their frontman, but as you can’t answer me I’ll answer it myself: he looked a bit like Paul Weller. Yes my friends this is a Mod band, the bane of my short little life as there are far far far too many Ocean Colour Scene tribute bands on the gig circuit. So officially they are the scum of the earth. However I will give them a point for having a brass section. The gratuitous knee-bending in true big band style distracted me slightly from the songs, and they get another point for not doing any Ocean Colour Scene or Paul Weller covers. Hooray Henry they have gone up to being pondweed!!! And I can’t believe I’m actually giving a band that plays dirge more suited to old men a half decent review. Sean sweetie, it’s been lovely working with you but I’d like to hand in my resignation at the end of this review. Let’s see if I can redeem myself.

I have never seen so many roadies for one band playing in the back room of a pub. There were three setting up the instruments, plus two bouncers (oh yes, and a bus load of loyal fans). Depending on which view you take the Suffrajets have either done more to advance the cause of women’s lib in one night by exploiting men as their loyal slaves, or simply proven the age old prejudice that birds in bands are a bit helpless. However once they stop faffing around and actually get on stage to play this three piece are actually quite good. Between goofy face pulling they throw rock shapes like Alice Cooper whilst the guitarist and singer snarls her vocals out and their bus-load of loyal fans get around to moshing and knocking the people in the front row head first onto the stage. All good stuff.