8/2/2008 Pure Rawk Awards @ the Marquee

Subject	Pure Rawk Awards @ the Marquee
PostedDate	2/8/2008
	This is a night I've been looking forward to for a a while - it's also the only time I've seen a decent crowd watching the bands in the current shortlived incarnation of the famous Marquee club. It's the Pure Rawk Awards - Pure Rawk being a fanzine and promotion company that consistantly books bands Iwant to see - something not many promoters seem to do.  It's a good turnout, with many of the usual suspects present.  One of the bands I was looking forward to seeing was Zen Motel who were going to be 'Special Guests'. However, they had to cancel their performance as they found out this morning that they are without a drummer.  Still, Lee and Alex from the band are present - never ones to miss any excuse to party!  Disarm take to the stage first with their raucous punk fuelled Glam assault - suited and booted for the occasion! These boy take no prisoners and always give a spirited performance. It's a good night for the northern lads as they pick up the 'New Breed' and 'Best Stunt' awards as well. There follows a brief but rather good two song acoustic set (his first ever) by Richie from Kitty Hudson who has just won the 'Frontperson Of The Year' award. Kitty Hudson also win 'Band Of The Year'.  Patchwork Grace also have good reason to celebrate, having won 'EP/single Of The Year', 'Album Of The Year', and guitarist Crip wins 'Axe Hero Of The Year'. The band get to play a full set tonight, but although their performance is good the sound mix is poor and doesn't do the band justice.  It's a shame the poor sound tonight doesn't let the band show what a good live band they really are as they were definitely better the couple of times I've seen them previously. Patchwork Grace seem like a breath of fresh air to me and their album is definitely one of my favourites from the past year - a very strong offering for such a new and young band. 'Label Of The Year' goes to Trashpit, while 'Gig/tour Of The Year' goes to the hardworking Riot Promotions for the excellent Trashstock tour - the London show being a highlight for me in 2007.  Last band to play are King Lizard - who's set I miss entirely due to being engrossed in conversation upstairs. It has to be said that the downstairs room the bands play in at this venue leaves a lot to be desired (as does the bar - the downstairs one isn't even open although it's crowded down there) but the bands and the people present make it a really good night.

PS: This venue is now closed - it didn't last long as 'The Marquee'...