5/5/2007 MMMFest @ Bar Monsta

Subject	MMMFest @ Bar Monsta
PostedDate	5/5/2007
	I arrive at Bar Monsta having missed the first bands at this Bank Holiday MMMFest all day event, although I'm informed that I haven't missed anything decent so far. There is a good crowd in though - nice to see the place busy. Rockworkz are playing for the last time at Bar Monsta before moving to a new venue nearby - the only cover band on the bill, but always entertaining with their revolving lineup and well performed hard rock covers including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and AC/DC songs. Marc Eden the frontman for the next band Men And Gods also sings regularly with Rockworkz. To be honest I find his performances with his other band far more entertaining and find myself losing interest in Men And Gods after a few songs - they play well, but there just seems to be something missing.  Shush are on next and I find they hold my attention far better with their catchy songs. They have a well polished pop edge with excellent vocals from Milena, but also a harder rock backbone, now powerfully propelled along by new drummer Paul.  Things take on a different slant when St Jude take to the stage - more laid back with a 'hippy chick' styled singer. They play well enough, but their songs don't quite leap out and grab me. Vamps 'N' Gypsies hit the stage next - and they have some cracking songs. I haven't seen them for a while as they've been out on tour with King Lizard. This is the last date of the tour and the band are in their own words "tight as fuck" but tired.  The band play well as they always do, but this isn't their most lively performance - they have thoroughly enjoyed being on tour but haven't got much sleep with all the ensuing mayhem!  There seem to be quite a few new songs added to their set since I last saw the band. It's a good show, but certainly not one of their best. To be fair, not much more can be expected at the end of their first ever tour - and it's been a gruelling one. They are always well worth seeing though.  King Lizard are the final band on tonight's bill - probably also a band not at their best at the end of their tour, but they still managed to turn in an energetic performance of their brand of sleaze rock. The evening is finished off when a by then rather wasted Vamps 'N' Gypsies join King Lizard for a chaotic encore of 'Johnny B Goode'. It's a good way to end the show on a party vibe - before the end of tour aftershow celebrations begin and everybody gets really wasted!

This venue is now 'Camden Rock' - a horrible dive. Avoid.