Club S.O.S.

Sometimes, the contrast between the type of music you'd listen to at home and the kind that, when done well, constitutes a main ingredient for a cracking night out is immense.

Take Chatham teen-rockers Underground Heroes (pictured) for example. Granted, their heads-down, no-holds-barred grot-punk isn't going to win any awards for originality, but what they lack in that facet is more than compensated by the fact they have energy reserves enough to refill Battersea Power Station. Couple this with a handful of tunes sprightly enough to keep even the most ADD-affected drone-monger entertained and you’ve half an hour of fun to be had. Reference points may be obvious, but by the end of their set, amidst a hail of broken glass, sweat and sprawling bodies, no one can complain to be disappointed or underwhelmed by their performance.

Likewise Censored. Junktion 7 is by now regarded as something of a second home to them, and before yet another sell-out crowd their admittedly retro pop doesn't fail to ignite an already buzzing mass of attendees. Forthcoming single 'In The Presence Of The Lord' even manages to attract the odd stage-diver, while 'Your Eyes Are Made Of Gold' and 'Blow It Out My Mind' are sung back at the band with the gusto of the North Bank celebrating yet another Fabregas 30-yard screamer.

More interesting, though, are the new songs that get an airing tonight, songs which suggest the band may be about to put their mod-styled roots on the back-burner for a while in favour of a more futuristic pop sound (The Maccabees doing Supergrass covers, maybe?) that could finally see their enormous potential become a reality in the not too distant future.

What's more important about tonight is that guitars and pop music can work together, and in the context of a Saturday night out the two go together like strawberries and cream. Delicious.

Photo: Russ Tannen