10/7/2009 Girl fronted Rock Night @ The Gaff

Subject	Girl fronted Rock Night @ The Gaff
PostedDate	7/10/2009
	An interesting night of female fronted rock. I arrive at The Gaff looking forward to quaffing a few pints of real ale - something that's rarely seen at music venues these days. Unfortunatley it's off, so I ask for the old standby - Newcastle Brown. They've run out of that as well - disgraceful! Didn't they know I was coming?  My evening is not getting off to a good start. Unfortunately I've also missed the opening act Sharron Levy who performed a solo acoustic set. Quick Ticket To Nowhere are playing when I arrive. They are a new band to me. In fact they are new to everyone as this is their first proper gig. They are decent enough musicians, but their lack of live experience is painfully obvious as they seem oblivious to the fact that there is actually an audience watching them - it's like looking at people practicing in their bedrooms. However, there is one thing about this band that really stands out - singer Sara McNay's voice! She seems a little nervous, and I suspect a little 'Dutch Courage' is evident as well - but she can really belt it out Janis Joplin style! It will be interesting to see this blues band with a few more gigs under their belt... Next up are the Cherry Brakewells - a band who tend to really surprise people the first time they see them! They may look like 1970's disco queens, but the sound they produce is heavy, funky and has a strong ROCK influence - and vocals dripping with soul. They have some good songs of their own, and then they throw in the odd curveball - like a Led Zeppelin cover! This is a band who really have to be experienced live to understand what they are about. Last act tonight is iMMa. Another new name to me, and a solo artist rather than a band. However, this girl has a really good band to back her up. She sings well and her performance is electrifying. iMMa works really hard to reach out to the crowd and just owns the room. It's a very polished performance from an artist who looks very 'trained' - her act just screams' Stage School' and I think this is one very ambitious young lady. She certainly has a lot more talent than some of the hyped-up dross that radio stations shove down our throats every day. She's also managed to bag the support slot on the forthcoming Skunk Annansie comeback tour - nice work! I spend half the set trying to figure out who iMMa reminds me of - then Craig puts me out of my misery and says Gwen Steffani! Thanks mate - I wish he hadn't said that now! iMMa makes good use of the bar as a stage - something which might happen quite often in the Purple Turtle, but not in The Gaff! An interesting and entertaining night at The Gaff - let's hope that as promised they get the beer situation sorted out before my next visit...

PS: This venue has now closed.