B-Movie Heroes

If, as they say, the best things in life are free then tonight’s free serving of up and coming talent, together with a DJ set courtesy of Ace from Skunk Anansie, should really serve as a showcase of the best that we Brits have to offer. But while my socks were _well and truly rocked off, as a whole, you sensed that with a couple of these acts it's not so much the _best _music currently being created at the moment, but rather this was a night showcasing _promise, showcasing embryonic versions of future trailblazing outfits poised to take the world by storm. The promise _is _there but there's evidently a lot more work to be done, especially with headliners B-Movie Heroes.

Of course, observing the rapturous response from the crowd it’s a thought that’s kind of compressed somewhat. But then, with *The Killerest Expression *setting the pace there really is no surprise. This is an outfit fortified with the most impassioned, sweat-draining energy that is so emblematic of the early 90s English punk rock bands. Their set bristles with this inveterate punk fervour, the band exuding powerfully raw melodies and a fevered spirit that allows them to rise above the melodic punk pack, new songs from their forthcoming split with *K-Line *evolving the style in remarkable fashion. Indeed, Americanised *Drive Thru *material this is not. By the time the closing _‘Mogadishu’ _fires out you are literally rooted to the spot, vocalist Gavin overcoming guitar problems mid-way through by exploding whole-heartedly into it’s bridge and setting an intense pace to follow. They say the devil has the best tunes. Well ‘they’ obviously haven’t heard The Killerest Expression.

Although many seemed to be filing in towards the end of their set, those craving some more tuneful punk action were treated to new Deck Cheese *signings *Right Turn Clyde. These Cambridge boys do an admirable job of following up the standard set by Killerest, dispelling any previous emo-punk tags they may have acquired and running through some nifty punk playing. But, while you expected the tunes to be taken up a notch, those who’d caught Killerest were blatantly still recovering from their assault, and with such an atrocious sound from a usually reliable venue, it’s a marvel I could pick out any melodies at all.

Thankfully, *Planet of Women *have gender on their side, having three female singers - one main, two backing – taking prominence on the stage. I guess the tag of a female *Bon Jovi *might be a lazy description for them but it’s one that seems accurate enough none-the-less. A rock band in the true sense of the word, Planet of Women’s sassy, female led songs are belted with such suitably sleazy riffs you almost expected *Skid Row *to be coming on next. And I don’t know about you but I’ll drink to anything that makes me feel like that!

*B-Movie Heroes *round off the evening blasting us with some tuneful, punky Brit-rock. But, again, because of the sound you do find it hard to pick out their melodies and as such their set comes across undeservedly weak. On their record it’s plain to see they have some pretty tantalising songs, recalling *Honeycrack *or *3 Colours Red *at their peak. And unfortunately for them their vocalist hasn’t got the strongest of voices or stage presence for that matter. But as it’s a free gig they are forgiven and those who’d spent their usual entrance fee on beer proceed to dance and rock out all the same.

All in all, not a bad night.