9/10/2010 The Loyalties @ The Gaff

Subject	The Loyalties @ The Gaff
PostedDate	10/9/2010
	Tonight I'm off to a gig a bit closer to home. Well a lot closer to home actually! I arrive at The Gaff to find they have a Sailor Jerry's rum promotion tonight. I'm given a token at the door that entitles me to a free shot at the bar - and I find a couple more tokens on the bar - the night is off to a good start!  The first band I catch is the Castaways, but they are very generic punk and don't make much of an impression. However, there is a good selection of bottled ales behind the bar so all is not lost... There have been a few members of staff from the 12 Bar Club cropping up behind the bar at The Gaff recently - with all these familiar faces behind the bar it's hard to keep track of what club I'm in! And now these same people are starting to appear on stage in bands as well - as in the Role Models. I have seen their frontman playing guitar in another band at this venue recently as well. I saw the Role Models at the 12 Bar last year I think, and was rather impressed - certainly a good rock 'n' roll band and noticeably better than the previous act. The Loyalties have been taking a break for a while since the release of their 'So Much For Soho' album, but got offered this gig and thought 'Why not?'. The band members have been busy with other projects, but the turnout tonight shows they made the right decision in agreeing to do this show. This band (like the band that spawned them, the much missed Yo-Yo's) have some cracking tunes - and it's good to hear them again. The venue is pretty full and the atmosphere is great as this band tear through their set of punk 'n' roll like there is no tomorrow! It's one of those 'Everybody is here!' (well nearly) nights - loads of friends, great music, and beer. The sort of night that makes everything worthwhile.  This was a pretty good Saturday night out in one of London's best small venues, and I think it's fair to say a good time was had by all.  Let's hope The Loyalties don't leave it so long before they play again. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of them in 2011...

PS: This venue has now closed.