1/4/2011 The Roolettes @ Boston Arms Music Room

Subject	The Roolettes @ Boston Arms Music Room
DateCreated	4/5/2011 2:38:00 PM
	Friday night and I find myself back at the Boston Arms Music Room in Tufnell Park - a venue I seem to be finding myself at quite regularly since The Gaff closed earlier this year. It's very refreshing to find drinks at pub prices in a music venue - £3.20 for a bottle of Newcastle Brown compared to £4 for a bottle of lager half the size at the New York Dolls gig a couple of days ago. This is the second time I've seen the newly re-activated Roolettes - this Anglo-Italian punk crew now back with their old 3 piece lineup and playing the odd UK show again as well as a few gigs elswhere in Europe. The band's Ramones influenced musical style is much the same, but maybe a little heavier these days - and certainly a lot tighter than they ever were before. Now they are back they seem to be taking things more seriously this time round - obviously including rehearsing harder! Bassist Theo is now singing most of the lead vocals - previously done by drummer Jimmy - leaving guitarist Ed to provide speeding buzzsaw guitar and searing solos. As if to prove their serious intent - they are writing new songs, some of which are played tonight along with some oldies like 'Cigarette Breakdown', and the turbocharged bassline powered 'Ciao Punk'. It's all high-octane stuff and they tear through the set with a relentless pace - no soppy ballads or self indulgent wallowing to be found, and all the better for it!