Roadworks. There are a lot of them about. The M8 is full of them as Bluesbunny found out on the way - we do go outside the big city sometimes - to The Big Bash in Whitburn. A successful night that has been running for some time now, it brings five bands to a decent venue and lets them show the crowd what they can do.
Two guys walk on to the stage. One sits behind the drums and the other picks up a guitar. They go by the name of Mulehog and they play a rough, two handed game of early seventies' style rock. Gruff vocals, firebrand guitar and thunderous drums clattered about the room. Radiating more sonic energy than two men should, they set the tone for the evening. It was going to be loud.
Next up were Casino. Parts of them used to be in a rather fine band called Five Park Drive. Oddly enough, lead singer Liam Davies' usual charisma seemed lacking tonight and every song was dominated by flashy guitar pyrotechnics. A new name and a new direction - hope it works out well for them.
And now for something completely different. Well, maybe not completely different but refreshing all the same. Coholic took to the stage and delivered an inspired and involving set. Lead singer Chris Ross got steadily more excited - some would say deranged - as this band worked their way through a set of songs that zigzagged across the borders into rock, punk and synth pop territory before crashing (quite literally) off stage. Top class entertainment, this band deserve to be big.
Rather more polished and equally interesting were The Shakes. Seasoned performers, they know how to put on a show. Finger tight rhythms and seemingly boundless energy encouraged the punters to dance and their songs - "Going to Where She's Gone" stood out - were short, sharp and sweet. This band has the confidence that comes with experience and it was a delight to watch them perform.
Ending things tonight (with a bang, quite literally) were the Apple Scruffs. Steering a straight course through the congested seas of indie rock, they - and it seems like a tradition in these parts - had a following of young men who all had their shirts off by the time "It's All Over You" crashed out of the speakers. They also had a remarkably tolerant drummer who, despite being hit repeatedly by sweaty t-shirts, never missed a beat. Respect. There was an anthemic quality to some of their songs that got what was left of the crowd chanting along. Then the stage was invaded by the aforementioned half dressed young men and bang went the PA system.
The verdict? The Guinness was good. Oh, on the music? A split decision tonight. The reviewer voted for The Shakes and the photographer voted for Coholic.