Time is a funny thing. It seems like only last week since Bluesbunny reviewed A-lix. Actually it was last week. Anyway, tonight Bluesbunny is in Sleazys and so are A-lix along with Miss the Occupier and the Heebie Jeebies. We are also pleased to note that the Guinness is actually acceptable tonight making for a vast improvement to this establishment's previous record in that department.
The sound is also good tonight as well which is just as well as A-lix launch in to their set with a vast amount of vigour. For those of you unfamiliar with them, A-lix are a duo. Part French, part Argentinean (and part drum machine now that we think of it) and all high voltage. Their twin guitars spit fury out into the audience and it hard to think of a band that works harder for your money. By the time "Under The Sun" reaches the Bluesbunny ears, an overload of manic energy has Lorena bouncing up and down on the stage whilst firing out those power chords. Vincent gets steadily more theatrical in his delivery as the set progresses - even managing to abandon the stage and join the audience in an impromptu pogo - and the duo appear even livelier than they did last week at the 13th Note. At this rate, it should only take a couple of months before they manage to achieve spontaneous musical combustion.
In the category of follow that, the contender is Miss the Occupier. They are a different kettle of fish , however. Playing a mix of post punk meets Glasgow style powerpop songs, they have a hard act to follow but they are well up to the challenge. Roz Davies' striking, colour- co-ordinated appearance catches the eye straight away but it is those edgy, stripped down songs that charm us. Jagged guitars punctuate the driving, back to basic rhythms. Anger, anguish and frustration seems to pervade their lyrics but they perform with no small amount of class and style and the end result is a lively and upbeat performance. The call and response vocals between Roz and guitarist Magnus Hughson on "I.M. Unique" worked a treat and a thunderous version of "Short Sight" ended their set to well deserved applause.
Last on tonight are the Heebie Jeebies. An altogether mellower proposition than either of the two previous acts, they take to the stage without fuss or bother. A 4 piece band from Glasgow with a fairly dedicated following that show little reticence in approaching the stage, they do a very neat line in writing sharp songs that fit into the indie pop genre. "Healing Touch" impresses both Bluesbunny and the audience. In addition, no one could fail to be moved by the rhythmic talent behind the drum kit. Maybe it was the old time synth sound but a weird thought crossed the Bluesbunny mind (there is plenty of space…) but could this band be the lost progeny of Spandau Ballet. They have no obvious visual style, of course, but they are writing big, majestic pop songs. Could be? An effective live act but they lacked the sheer oomph of A-lix or the edginess and style of Miss the Occupier.
All that music and Guinness makes a Bluesbunny hungry. The Express takeaway is the next stop for some chicken pakora. Onward!