2/6/2008 Dead Monroe & JOANovARC @ Cuban

Subject	Dead Monroe & JOANovARC @ Cuban
PostedDate	6/2/2008
	A couple of my favourite bands are appearing in one of Camden's lesser known venues tonight. I arrive at Cuban just as Dead Monroe are starting. The place isn't that crowded, but it's not too bad for a little known Camden bar on a dreary Monday night. Dead Monroe have catchy songs and play well, so they are appreciated by the crowd. The sound isn't bad considering the fairly feeble looking PA, although the band say later that it sounded terrible onstage. One or two new songs are played by this continually evolving band - they don't believe in just sitting back and waiting for things to happen for them like some bands seem to. Dead Monroe will have really 'paid their dues' beforehand if they manage to get signed. Cuban isn't a bad place, although it's a bit odd having to go outside and up some stairs if you need the toilet. However, the selection of overpriced beers at the bar doesn't encourage me to drink enough to need the toilet. Nor does the fact that the drinks seem suspiciously watery - I am not the only person to notice this...  JOANovARC were supposed to be playing an acoustic set tonight. However, this is changed at the last minute - maybe because the band thought it would be hard to follow Dead Monroe's punchy electric set? The band play well - JOANovARC don't know how to give a bad performance. Shelley looks a little ill at ease though, probably because she is less than happy with the guitar she had to borrow at the last minute instead of her usual Gibson. The girls have the talent and the songs to pull it off though, and as usual some more new fans are won over. New girl Luita is fitting in well and looking more confident with every gig. This isn't an ideal venue for either of these bands as it's more set up for quieter acoustic acts than full on rock bands, but it makes a pleasant change to see them in a different venue to the normal rock 'n' roll toilets - although somewhere with less watery beverages would be nice.