4/12/2011 Dogs D'Amour & Gasoline Queens @ Islington Bar Academy

Subject	Dogs D'Amour & Gasoline Queens @ Islington Bar Academy
DateCreated	12/20/2011 3:19:00 PM
	Sunday night finds me at Islington Bar Academy (or Academy2 or whatever it's called at the moment) and unlike at the event downstairs yesterday the security bloke on the door makes a point of telling everyone that there is strictly NO re-admission. Good thing I nipped into the Wetherspoons opposite for a cheap pint beforehand then - as did most other people I think. I refuse to give the venue bar any of my hard earned - it wouldn't be so bad if they actually served anything I wanted to drink. I'm told theGasoline Queens will be on stage at 7.30, but when I arrive from the pub at the appointed time they are already playing. I hear a cover of 'Chinese Rocks' ( which I would have particularly liked to see) filtering though from inside the venue. There was no queue to get in only a quick pint ago, but one has appeared from nowhere and by the time I get in the band are on about their third song.  It's a good thing I got in when I did, because only a few people got in after me before the venue reached capacity - even people on the cheap guestlist weren't getting in, although some were allowed in a bit later. It's good to see this lot playing to so many people - and it's definitely the right crowd for them. The Gasoline Queens are an excellent choice to support Tyla's mob, as not only do they sound a lot like Dog's D'Amour - on a tour several years ago they were actually Tyla's back band - so they effectively were Dogs D'Amour! Apart from the aforementioned 'Chinese Rocks' there are no other covers in the band's set tonight. (actually there may have been, but weeks later I can't remember) although they usually play an excellent cover of the Dogs D'Amour classic 'Last Bandit'. Understandably, this isn't in their set tonight as the man who wrote it will be playing it later... I think this is the third time I've seen the Gasoline Queens since they reformed a few months ago, and this is definitely the best I've seen them - they really are a rather good band. Not only are this lot a good band in their own right, but they have some decent songs of too, and I certainly enjoy their set. This lot are just right to warm the crowd up for what is too come later. Unfortunately, this is more than be said for the following support act who are an unfortunate cross between Kings Of Leon (later crap version) and Mumford & Sons. This is not good - I don't think many of the crowd are into them at all and people seem to rapidly lose interest... The capacity crowd makes for an electric atmosphere by the time the headliners take to the stage. Tyla has put another good version of 'Dogs D'Amour' for this tour - featuring ex-members of Lords Of The New Church and Cherry Bombz among others. The band is good, but what really makes this show great is the sheer quality of the songs, and the amount of good songs in the set - they just don't stop coming. The setlist is just one classic after another. This is one of the best gigs I've been to this year because of the songs alone. Tyla himself is quite a character. Very idiosyncratic, maybe egotistical at times, but undeniably a very talented and poetic songwriter. He's also a terrific artist and designs the band's album covers as well as the rather wonderful stage backdrop. Original artwork by the man is also available at the merch stand - at what I think are very reasonable prices considering how good his work is. But that's not why were are here - we are here to hear our favourite Dogs D'Amour songs. If you are a fan of the bands poetically shambollic rock 'n' then you will probably find most of your favourites played tonight. The aforementioned 'Last Bandit', 'Billy Two Rivers', 'Heroine', 'How Come It Never Rains', etc, etc... A very nice touch is the dedication the late Trace from Tyla - someone who would have almost certainly been at this show even if it meant travelling from oop north for the gig. Some of you reading this will know the red headed legend whom Tyla was referring to. A highly enjoyable show from an erratically flawed legendary songwriter - worth every penny. Maybe next time a slightly larger venue so everyone can get in? And so it's back to the pub for a couple before the train home.