20/10/2008 Chasing Stacey & 6th Edition @ The Real Music Club

Subject	Chasing Stacey & 6th Edition @ The Real Music Club
PostedDate	10/20/2008
	Another local(ish) gig - hopefully to become a more regular thing again now. I'm at the Real Music Club in Whetstone for their new monthly showcase night. There are supposed to be three bands playing, but one band has pulled out at the last minute with a feeble sounding excuse. Losers.  The turnout isn't too bad for a Monday night at a new North London venue. Borehamwood lads Chasing Stacey are on first. They aren't bad at what they do, but their brand of emo tinged ska/punk isn't really my thing. The singer/guitarist centre stage seems to be supposed to be the frontman, but I find the bass player annoying as he keeps stealing the show and acts like it all revolves around him. Or maybe it's supposed to be like that - I dunno. Apparently he's leaving soon anyway. It all goes a bit wrong at the end of their set when the frontman breaks a guitar string - something they seem unprepared for. They are obviously a new young band and still on their learning curve, and I'm sure they will be noticably better this time next year. The band seem to have an adoring teenage following so good luck to 'em. Next and last band of the night is 6th Edition, also from Borehamwood. Musically they are not a million miles away from the previous band, but more pop/punk and less ska - and without an annoying member who distracts from the rest of the band. Like Chasing Stacey they play well enough but don't really connect with me personally - I think I'm suffering from emo-fatigue. It's like I see a band's haircuts and I already know exactly what they are going to sound like before they've played a note.  I guess anyone over 20 years old just doesn't get it.  It's good to see local bands getting a break as there's been nowhere decent for them to play round these parts for years. It's good to see any venue open up locally as we have been starved of such places for so long, but it's particularly encouraging as the Real Music Club is actually a pretty neat venue for live music with it's large purpose built stage and big house PA and backline.

PS: This venue (The Former Bull & Butcher pub in Whetstone) has since had various changes of name and eventually closed.