A strong 10 band bill at
The Monarch in Camden. Formerly a Wetherspoons pub with one of their generic names, but now renamed as 'The Monarch' which
used to be the name of the pub a few doors up the road before it became 'The Barfly' and now 'Camden Assembly'. Confused? Well then I won't even mention the
other Camden pub which was 'The Barfly' before that... Anyway, this all day event is staged by Camden Rocks who also put on the big
multi-venue festival in the summer. And I also won't mention that 'Camden Rock' used to be a completely different and unrelated venue down the road - but the less said about that place the better... So, welcome to the land of confusion. Unfortunately it being a Saturday I have other so called 'real life' (it's over-rated folks) things to take care of before heading down to Camden so I miss the first 4 bands. I arrive in time to catch some of the set by
The Vulz.
I've been aware of the band for a while but it's the first time I have managed to see them. I am impressed. They play old school style 1st generation UK punk rock. They are rather good - tuneful, lively with catchy songs and stage presence, plus a charismatic frontman.
Next up are Jay Vee & the Cardinal Sins. This 3 piece are completely new to me but very good.
They play old school dirty rock 'n' roll and are are dripping in attitude. Stripped down raw and basic - just how rock 'n' roll should be - no frills and in your face.
Unfortunately the momentum isn't maintained by the next act. This is Brain Ape. Grungy but with a good bass player they fail to maintain my attention at all. It's heartfelt, but lacking that certain something.
Fortunately, things take an upturn with
The Gulps. This band are a lot more interesting and lively. They have punk as well as 60's/70's rock influences and manage to grasp the true spirit of rock & roll excitement and rebellion. They are very lively without being sloppy or careless. Some decent tunes and great stage presence - well worth seeing again.
Up next are the main band I've come to see. I've seen
Last Great Dreamers a few times now and been very impressed, but they seem to struggle a little tonight. I don't know why - maybe it's the on-stage sound mix or something, but they just don't seem to quite have their usual polished and professional performance on this occasion. They are still great - but not as great as they usually are.
I'm not sure if it's the crowd or the atmosphere 'cos both those things seem OK to me, but something isn't quite clicking with this band on this occasion. They play fine, appear to give a good performance, and have some cracking songs - probably the best of any band on the bill. Don't get me wrong, they are still good and I enjoy their set but I've seen them better. It's just a bit weird as they are usually so good. All the same, they are still one of the best acts on the bill with their brand of catchy tuneful sing-along pop/rock.
The night ends with the biggest surprise on the bill. Although they are the headliners I'd never heard of
White Eskimo. Apparently they are from Manchester and seem to have brought a crowd with them. So onto the stage get this bunch of kids in really sharp suits and haircuts. You get the impression there is money behind these lads - the whole image and the bussed in fans screams 'Pop stars'. I'm thinking 'I'm probably not going to like this and will be heading home soon', but I've paid my money on the door so I figure it's worth sticking around for a song or two and giving them a chance - it can't be any worse than when I saw Keane at the Dublin Castle!
So then they start playing. WOW! In spite of their appearance, this is no clean cut sanitized pop group - they fucking ROCK! And they rock very hard indeed. Not in a punk or heavy metal way, but in a way I imagine the Beatles must have in their very early days as a greasy dirty leather jacketed rock 'n' roll band. They are really tight and well drilled, but they don't hold back - they play it like they
mean it (man). The sound is basic stripped down rock & roll with a strong 60's influence, but they play loud, fast, and hard. And the songs are good too. This band sounds absolutely
nothing like they look. And they sound great! Why have I never heard of them before?
White Eskimo give us a terrific end to this Camden Rocks all-dayer, but four out of the previous five bands were excellent too - great value for money for only around a tenner.
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