Phew! Rock 'n' Roll

Reloaded is shaping up to be a great event. The obvious comparison is with an Offbeat night, but the mellower vibe here is more to my taste. Although in the same venue as the more established event, the organisers sought to create a distinctive atmosphere by placing the band at the back of the room before a floor to ceiling mirror. An innovation Martyn from the Village Idiots took full advantage of, allowing him to view his best back-to-the-audience- guitar hero poses. He looked like a 12 year old with a tennis racket in his bedroom throwing some shapes to Def Leppard in front of the wardrobe mirror.

I've always been told The Idiots are a punk band, but the truth is they play a brand of noisy indie that recalls a c86 era of bands. I don't know if they are in a period of transition, but the impression I get is of a band that hasn't quite found its sound. Yet.

Still they play passionately and with energy, and are quite entertaining. Personally, though it is a shame some of this energy isn't aimed in the audience's direction.

Not a criticism you can throw at headliners Sakura. A breathless, vibrant performance that oozed swaggering, juvenile bravado. Perhaps this confidence lies in a successful trip to Nottingham to record their new single (to be released Saturday @ the Trafalgar - be there or be ... well probably you'll be at Baltane). But whatever the reason they are one of the few local bands who want to take their music to their audience and shove it down their gullets. An approach I greatly approve of.

Another band who see the importance of connecting with the crowd are Suspect Package, so it was fitting that their singer Alan joined Sakura for an idiosyncratic impromptu rendition of Green Day's Welcome to Paradise, complete with dance steps last seen in Tenpole Tudor video, which was erm novel.

Without a hint of earnestness Sakura (and particularly singer Rowan) played a joyful and exuberant set, which was warmly received

The rest of the night was devoted to a d.j. playing a mixture of indie and alt classics from the likes of Primal Scream, Supergrass and the Happy Mondays interspersed by recordings by Manx artists like Slimpig and the Scope

The Fluid kicked things off, since I reviewed their gig of six nights before, I'm not gonna say much now, but they continue to grow into an interesting band. I enjoyed their version of Eminem's "Cleaning Out My Closet".

Suspect Package had a bit of a mare. A host of technical things went wrong (including comically, Sam's mic falling on his snare drum, cue : Mr Flood's one man stage invasion on all fours). And when it became obvious they couldn't fix them, they lacked the experience (or drunkenness) to say "fuck it" and attack the set head on.

That said there were more positives than negatives in this performance. The band kept going, and the next day they were full of ideas to correct the difficulties. (I was reminded of something Phil had said earlier in the evening - "what's great about Suspect Package is that you can see them growing up with each gig")

But the most encouraging element was the crowd's reaction - they went down quite well. Not a storm I grant you. But the majority of the crowd were cheering by the end.

Expect a corking reaction from them tomorrow night when they support Slimpig at the Traf.

Jacoba Played an excellent set. Some of the tenderness apparent at Offbeat was missing but the quality of their songs shines through. They are tight, talented and exciting.

All in all, it was a very good night, a packed crowd with a few new faces and an electric atmosphere over £600 was raised for York's Supporters' Trust. And the Island favourite York fan, Raz made an emotional thank you speech at the end.

Friday 80's Disco at the Venue

To my shame I went with work colleagues to the above event. I had a quite enjoyable night but I think I'd have enjoyed Still Crazy in Laxey more (they are spoken off in very positive terms (e.g."Lalalala, I'm in skanking to Still Crazy, these guys ROOOLLEEE" said a celebrity drunkard the other night) but I always end up missing them). There came a point however, when I wondered what on Earth was I doing there. I mean I hated the 80's in the 80's, why would I want to relive them. So i left.

Sample Text Message

To be honest, I'm a tax fraud.

Saturday 26th April and I was back to the safety of the Trafalgar. Brazen are the only band on this page who do predominantely cover versions. In fact the band only play cover versions. But if you are going to play covers you should at least bring something of yourself to the table, play it a little different. Well Brazen do this trick with ease (although having a female singer and doings tunes that are predominately sung by men helps).

They are professional but good humoured. The singer employing some teacher like banter with the unruly elements in the audience. (Ok I was part of the unruly element). I particularly like their cover versions of Hanging on the Telephone and Play that Funky Music White Boy.

An enjoyable, entertaining night, with a band destined to be one of the more popular bands this TT.

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...if we see them tho to the 5-0 they go...

Rhysical Pheck c.d. launch @ the Poacher's Pocket.

As Rhysical Pheck's lazy grooves filled the rooom, a friend was astonishd to find that I knwe the words. But I supppose that I've played the c.d. so much that they have perculated into my brain.

Only the singer/guitarist Kin stands up - with Gypo and Shod perched precariously around the tiny stage area. Now I think I've said beforethat I like a band to conect with its audience (ok I've said it quite a few times). But there are many ways to achieve this feat, and on a Sunday afternoon with friends and family Rhysical Pheck's relaxed approach worked a treat. Te connection was made because with the audience chilling out in comfortable leather Chesterfield sofas; it was the mellow atmosphere and the band's subtle and gentle music was the most effective means of capturing the mood was a laid back approach that gently insinuates its way into the listener's conscoiusness.

An unusual and thrillingly understated hangover cure.