21/5/2009 Black Mollys, Brijitte West, Shush & Jukebox Junkies @ The Gaff

Subject	Black Mollys, Brijitte West, Shush & Jukebox Junkies @ The Gaff
PostedDate	5/21/2009
	A very strong four band bill from Pure Rawk at The Gaff Tonight - encouraging a decent turnout for a Thursday night. This is one of those venues I always look forward to visiting, and one of the few which serves real ale - although the Bombardier ale on tap tonight it pretty foul and I have to resort to the old standby of Newcastle Brown for the rest of the night. Oh, and my only other criticism of the venue? - the stage lighting is shit! Hence it being a bit dark in my photos. When will certain venues realise - those LED stage lights might look pretty, but they just aren't bright enough to be up to the job. First on are Jukebox Junkies. These lads from Rugby have plenty of experience from previous bands and really know how to put on a good rock 'n' roll show. It doesn't hurt either that they have the knack of writing catchy hook filled songs with choruses that get jammed in your head. This band are a dynamic and punchy start to the evening's entertainment. Next we have another band who can always be relied on to turn in a good performance - assisted again on this occasion by Jake from TAT standing in on drums as this band are once again 'between drummers'... Their attention grabbing cover of Blondie's 'Call Me' always goes down very well with people in the crowd who's never heard of Shush before, but it's usually the only cover they play as the band have plenty of strong pop/rock numbers of their own. Brijitte West is now starting to shake off the mantle of her previous band New York Loose. She has written a load of new songs and formed a new band - the Desperate Hopefuls. Tonight they are without their normal bassist Richie - normally seen playing a six string fronting his own band Kitty Hudson. The Desperate Hopefuls also feature Keef on guitar who plays in Kitty Hudson as well as fronting his own band Dead Identities. Brijitte's more recent material is moving in a slightly poppier direction than her older more punk rock stuff - however, the old New York Loose song 'Bitch' is still one of the highlights of the band's energetic set. Tonight's headliners are the Black Mollys. The last time I saw an American touring band at this venue they were very disappointing and not worthy of their 'headline' status. NYC outfit the Black Mollys make up for this by being far better than that other band, playing much better, and generally acting in a much more professional manner. And they also feature Rob Lane who is depping on bass for this tour - as well as about fifty tours with other bands in the past year - this man sure gets around! It has to be said - the Black Mollys are rather good. As well as playing well and looking like they mean it, they also have a load of infectiously catchy pop/punk songs - I am impressed enough to buy their CD afterwards and it certainly doesn't disappoint. Have you noticed how it's always someone's birthday at any night out in a pub? Tonight it's Tazz's birthday, but she's a bit too rock 'n' roll to just have the band sing 'Happy Birthday' to her - she gets to actually play guitar with the band for a song! All in all, another excellent night from Pure Rawk at The Gaff - I look forward to the next one on August 6th.

PS: This venue is now closed.