2/2/2024 Down With The Stereotype + We Know John + Electrics @ The Spice of Life

It's 'The Long Good Friday' apparently, so I'm back down to The Spice of Life - via BrewDog over the road first for one or two quality (and very strong) liveners first as the McMullens ale in The Spice of Life is pretty anemic even if reasonably priced. Unfortunately I miss the first band Catfight. I'm just here to see 🗲Electrics🗲 really, but anything else is a bonus.

It's only about five months since I last saw this band at this same venue, but there's nothing not to like (apart from McMullens watery ale) so here I am again. I'm not the only one who's made the effort - amongst others there is also ex-Hollywood Brats and London SS guitarist Brady checking the band out.

Jenny the bassist is the band's appointed 'Dance Captain' and moves about more than anyone else in the band.

However, as some of us know 😉 - it's the basslines that get people dancing! And there is no shortage of bass action at an 🗲Electrics🗲 show.😀

But there is a lot more going on on stage - frontman Alan is giving it some snotty attitude and punk edge as he peels off Johnny Thunders inspired rock 'n' roll guitar licks.

🗲Electrics🗲 spark off a dynamic reaction from the crowd.

Gritty edgy New York 1970's style rock 'n' roll is the order of the day, although this band actually hail from the dirty streets of West London.

The band's Dance Captain weaves her spell, and the audience responds!

But all to soon 🗲Electrics🗲 are waving us goodbye. Until next time...

And now for something completely different. This lot are the oddly named We Know John. Well we all know a few Johns don't we? And at least one of them probably has a new motor. I don't know if anyone in this band has recently purchased a new car but they certainly have brass in pocket. And brass on stage too.

And the band's frontman certainly seems to have a brassneck - or a trombone anyway. A brass section and pop/punk appear to be what this band is all about - they are certainly unlike any other band I have seen, and seem to be good musicians as well as having fun!

But I can't help being reminded of a certain Dire Straights song that mentions a crowd of young boys who don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band - 'cos it ain't what they call rock and roll. And although they are good at what they do it's not really my sort of thing either.

Tonight's headliners take things in another direction completely. The Geddy Lee lookalike bassist suggests this is some sort of prog rock band, but although he is very good that isn't really the sort of music this band is playing.

In fact south London band Down With The Stereotype are more of an indie pop/rock band. They play well and obviously know what they are doing, but lack that edge or a certain something that will make you remember them. They are good enough to keep your attention while they are playing, but not exciting or interesting enough to make you (or me anyway) want to go and see them again.

Oh well, there was only one band I saw tonight who were actually playing what I call rock and and roll - although maybe Catfight did too if I had managed to get there early enough to see all four bands? Of the three bands I did manage to see only one had the 🗲spark🗲 to make me want to see them again.