10/9/2006 Honeykill @ the Pleasure Unit

Subject	Honeykill @ the Pleasure Unit
PostedDate	9/10/2006
	Most of London's 'toilet' venues seem to be concentrated in the East End these days - is it on it's way to being the 'new Camden'? Bethnal Green isn't the classiest of areas and Camden is now getting more upmarket and a very expensive area to live - probably not good for rock 'n' roll in the area... The Pleasure Unit is a bit of a dump to be honest, but there are certainly worse venues in the East End. Like many of them, it is just a run down pub pretending to be something else. Still, that's better than the area losing another pub or music venue and anywhere that gives bands an opportunity to play is welcome. Some fairly well known names on the indie and rock 'n' roll circuit have played at this fairly intimate venue. I arrive to find an indie band called The Shake playing - they are quite good, but not really my sort of thing. I'm there to see Honeykill. It's only the second time I've seen this band, and I'm looking forward to seeing the proper Honeykill lineup as when I saw them at the Dublin Castle their drummer had just left and singer/guitarist Jimi had to play drums. However, it is not to be on this occasion - they have a new drummer, but have stand-in keyboard player Nell for this gig. All the same, the band's performance is much improved for this show with Jimi back where he belongs at the front of the stage with a guitar in his hands instead of drumsticks. This band is much more effective with a twin guitar attack and tonight gives a better indication of what they are really capable of. Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age seem to be the strongest influences although this band are quite different from either. In spite of the cheap and tacky nature of the venue, the sound out front is quite good - although I'm told afterwards that it was pretty poor onstage. It's also very hot which doesn't help the band as it's always far hotter onstage than anywhere else in the room. Bass vixen Tish din't seem very animated compared to the Dublin Castle show, but apparently this was due to the extreme heat. There did seem to be some air-conditioning, but it didn't appear to be very effective. To be fair, it might have been far worse if it wasn't working at all though. Still, I enjoyed the band's set and it was a good Monday night out - well worth the trip. The band seemed to think so too as they had quite a good turnout according to the figures on the door. And hopefully, next time I will see the proper Honeykill lineup!