The Warm Jets

Cast your minds back to late 1997. At Wembley Arena - Blur were playing. First of all this shy, timid band walked on-stage. No-one takes much notice. They play 30 mins of straight up, fuzzy, indie tunes. Then trudge off. *The Warm Jets *had arrived!

Since then, they released some great singles, 'Never Never', 'Hurricane' (who can forget the Arthur Baker *remix?...oh you have), '_Autopia_' and '_Move Away_'. Then the album in 1998, '_Future Signs*_', which seems to be one of those indie albums that everyone seems to have in their collection, even if they love or hate it.

From 1999 to 2002, Warm Jets were used as a punchline to many 'Who's Who of Indie' jokes. However I was surprised to see them back, and what I saw was why they had indeed, extinguised into nothing.

The performance was like watching a cat being put down. It was painful to watch. Even when they played 'Never Never' and 'Move Away', it sounded like a big durge with none of the fizzy energy they have on record. The crowd were even less than appreciative to this lacklustre display.

Then Louis, the singer announced it was their last ever gig, just before the last song. The crowd didn't even boo, or do anything. The resulting 'Silver Surfer' was played with all the urgency of a *Mercury Rev *ballad. It was just sad to stand through.

The Warm Jets - RIP 2002