Rabid Bitch Of The North | Live - Katy Dalys, Belfast

To be completely honest about it, this band were a bit of a joke on their last outing. Flippant, hail fellow well met, and seemingly only out to impress a few friends in the front row (roughly equivalent to the turnout - funny), it really was a disaster area.

But things can change, and it’s a pleasure to report that the band have evidently realised that a band they must be, or they’re going nowhere. This weekends performace is a world away. Tight, focused, and sounding like a band who know what they want to play, it’s a decent performance that pleases nearly everyone watching.

Two elements stand out as worthy of particular praise. One, the vocalist. Though some cringey banter is there, he carries it off out of sheer audacity. He’s also clearly been studying Free videos in a effort to perfect that tight shirted, mic-stand tilting swagger and high squeal chic so redolent of 1969. Two, the drums. Though the band can at times appear jokey, it’s clear your man has it well under control at the back. Solid foundations with a few nicely placed embellishments - a real workhorse performance.

Though their contributions are solid, in particular the nicely detailed ‘Countdown To Extinction’ riffing, the rest of the band could look a little more into it. Noone’s going to break a bone, lads - put your elbows into it. There’s something most invigorating in seeing bands turn themselves round, and hopefully these cretins can turn in as good a performance on their upcoming cd as they have live today.

Change the daft name though, because the music deserves more now.

- Earl Grey ::: 15/10/08