Sauce

Whiskey Go-Go’s have been here before, and they know that the crowds love them. They were loose, and it was really, really good. A bit like The Cure, and dirty like the Stones, they beautifully executed the simplest but most bloody effective sound, and twisted it on its ear with a country hoedown feel that delighted the jumping-all-over-each-other’s-feet crowd. Showing that spit and polish is for the studio and sweat and pop-offs are what live is all about, they didn’t relent and didn’t appear to care either.

You can tell when a band’s been touring shit loads and they’ve had extra time to experiment, because the front guy will change his guitar practically every song for no apparent reason (to us), and tonight’s guitar-counters weren’t disappointed. My favourite guy in the band was this bloke with massive frizzy hair that he was flaying about everywhere, and his job was to hit different things with bells on them and dance! He was great!

Like the Roobs, they’re exciting and fun to watch, but yeah, there’s nothing really different going on here sound-wise. As for the country spin, Johnny Cash laid firm foundation stones when he found his rolling steam train sound while this guy’s dad hadn’t yet peeped his mothers knickers, but they knit together so fine as a group that, like the Roobs, they stand out with something special to offer. Matt the front guy’s singing is impassioned and aimless, wandering over broken notes with beautiful care like Adam Duritz, with the same sensitivity to poetic verse; honest, bloody and raw. Sudden moments of sweet melody get replaced by smashing guitars and their brash brand of rock wakes the smokers up to peep inside. They pounded to a finish but didn’t honour the cries for an encore. I’d definitely watch them again – they really kicked arse and left me pumped.

IAN MURTAGH