20/8/2010 Part 2. Patchwork Grace @ Zenith Bar

Subject	Patchwork Grace @ Zenith Bar
PostedDate	8/20/2010
	...and so we make our way from Islington Academy to Zenith Bar, which is fortunately only a ten minute or so walk. It's one of those odd 'mixed bag' bills and when we arrive Jazzmin Davies is performing. She's a solo singer I guess midway between Amy Winehouse and Paloma Faith. She's not bad at all, but she has no backing band, or even a band-in-a-box/laptop to accompany her - all her backing tracks are coming from her iPod!  This doesn't make for the most lively show, and I think she realises this as there are moments when she looks a little lost and lacking in confidence. It's almost like karaoke, but without the cringeworthy terrible singing which can make it (almost) entertaining.  It's a shame as she does have some talent. Next act is Jana Tyrell - another solo singer/songwriter, this time accompanying herself on a Yamaha keyboard. Again, she obviously has some talent but it doesn't come across very well with only a dry sounding electronic keyboard for backing. She throws in a Queens Of The Stone Age song - which is unexpected!  Eventually, the act we are all here to see takes to the stage. Patchwork Grace let rip - and it only takes about one minute for their pop/rock assault to completely clear the room of the previous artists and everyone associated with them - they can't get out quick enough!  Obviously, there are only a few of us present who actually like ROCK music. It's a shame as the band are in fine form. The PWG lineup has changed quite a bit over the past year. First guitarist Crip left and was replaced on a temporary basis by the band's producer - who did a fine job standing in until a replacement was found. Since then bassist Joey Strange has also left. The Queen Adreena influence isn't so obvious since Crip's departure, but is still there in Tori's vocals if not her look. The two new members fit in well and the band sound better than ever before - the guitar in particular having a fuller richer sound - although Crip is a hard act to follow visually. Tori has a captivating stage presence which helps draw you into what the band are doing. Patchwork Grace may have been away from the live scene for a while, but now they are back with a bang and have a new EP to promote - meaning the songs from their excellent debut album now take rather a back seat. It seems an odd venue for this band to play, but apparently it was done quite deliberately as the band wanted to showcase to some record company people (who are actually present) what they are like in a small intimate venue where nobody knows them. I hope it had the desired effect - the band certainly looked and sounded great tonight. The following female fronted alt/rock band Boxes Number 123 wasn't to our liking, so there was nothing else for it to adjourn to Big Red for some late beers - Zenith Bar isn't a bad little place, but the selection of beverages on tap left a lot to be desired, and they didn't even stock bottles of Newcastle Brown or similar.