10/7/2014 Healthy Junkies & Earth Prayer @ The Monarch

It seems a bit odd being at a gig and seeing daylight outside through the window, but that's how it is at The Monarch on this summer Thursday evening in Camden.

It's a bit strange seeing randoms at the bus stop outside peering in through the window at the band, but it's all part of Camden's streetlife. However, night falls during Healthy Junkies set and some sort of normality seems to be restored.

It makes a change to see this band outside of their regular nights at The Unicorn, but a change of scene is often good. There is a reasonable turnout for a 'school night' and the band's set of catchy pop/punk with a hint of grunge goes down well - it helps that Healthy Junkies have better songs than most bands on this circuit. Unfortunately this is bassist Dave Renegade's last gig with the band, but I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him before long as he likes to keep busy.

I first discovered Earth Prayer playing at Healthy Junkies monthly club night at The Unicorn so it's fitting to see them playing together at another Camden venue.

Earth Prayer take their influences mainly from an earlier time than Healthy Junkies - harking back more to the classic rock bands of the 60's and 70's.

Singer Heidi has a big voice and knows how to use it - she is an engaging stage presence with a very good band behind her to propel things along.

Like Healthy Junkies, this is a band who look like they have all individually 'paid their dues' in other bands over the years and are now ready to step up to bigger things...