Interesting. Branded plastic glasses. In the interests of science Bluesbunny decided to try a pint of Tennent's Lager prior to commencing on the serious drinking and it came in some sort of high tech plastic container that had a big red "T" on it. It looked like glass but it was way too light. After playing with this new toy for about ten minutes, Bluesbunny got back on the Guinness. At least that came in a real glass. Now to the music…
All the way from Fife came the Manikees. They did a nice line in melodic indie pop that could no doubt trace its heritage all the way back to the Housemartins. All jaunty and gallus, they showed the sort of enthusiasm that is usually reserved for puppies. If Carlsberg made pop songs then "Jenny's Place" and "Boys in the Band" would be the best pop songs in the world. Well suited to a Friday night in Glasgow.
Then the Bluesbunny's ears perked right up. Even the miserable sound could not hide the musical talents of the Catch 22s. Lisa's vocals cut through the murk and grabbed our attention and kept it too. There was plenty of spirit in this band as they blasted their way through a lively, sometimes ska flavoured, set. Lots of very decent guitar riffs on show as well. If they had dropped the shady cover of "Gay Bar" and borrowed a trumpet player from somewhere then they would have been just about perfect. Deserving of commercial success? Yes.
Last on to the stage tonight were the Gilded Angels and they set out to transform Glasgow into downtown Nashville. Reeking of rhinestones, big hats and polyester suits, they filled the stage - there were a lot of them - and the room with Barbara Mandrell style country sounds. Much like a steak pie, this was solid, traditional fayre and it was served up with respect and even affection. Box was perhaps not the best venue for their type of music however.
Chicken pakora time? Yeeehah!