21/8/2009 Cherry Brakewells @ Hoxton Underbelly

Subject	Cherry Brakewells @ Hoxton Underbelly
PostedDate	8/21/2009
	Hoxton Underbelly is a new venue to me, and not that easy to find in Hoxton Square unless you realise it's actually in a basement underneath another bar. However, the promoters are the same people who do the Water Rats so there should be some good artists appearing here. Things get off to a good start tonight with one of my favourite bands who have also appeared at the Water Rats. Yes, it's those Cherry Brakewells again! The venue itself is quite an intimate basement bar with lots of comfy chairs. It's fairly cheap to get in and see several bands and the bar prices aren't too outrageous, but real ale drinkers will find themselves out of luck and there isn't even any Newcastle Brown. Lager drinkers will be happy enough though. The toilets are a bit odd - seperate toilets for each sex sharing a common washroom - no good for the girls who go to the toilet to talk about their blokes 'cos they might walk in at any moment!  Still, it's the music I'm here for and I'm certainly not disappointed tonight - I never am when this band are playing. As soon as they walk onto the stage they have the attention of everyone in the room - many of them cynically thinking "Go on then girls - impress me!" The thing is - the minute they start playing they do impress you! This band has a powerful yet funky sound that just reaches out and grabs you. If there's any justice (which we all know there isn't) then these girls would be all over the radio and TV. However, the likes of Simon Cowell and all the other taste-facists of the media probably don't think it's 'cool' for girls to actually play their own instruments and rock out. Maybe they feel threatened by girls with guitars - after all the electric guitar is a symbol of power and rebellion. It dares to suggest that maybe these ladies hold the power and won't be pushed around and manipulated like mere girlie pop stars are. Keep your eye on these ladies...