The Penny Black Remedy, Jenny's Birthday, Purple Bubble

If this were a Saturday night in July the doors would be open at eight o'clock; as it is a Saturday night in December they are not. An extra twenty minutes waiting and then the door staff want us in single file before they check our bags for contraband.

I think Purple Bubble's lead singer Lee Hayes must have bypassed these checks and sneaked a bottle of something in his guitar case. His drunken state on stage was both embarrassing and unprofessional. This was a great shame as the band have in 'The Whole Of A Woman' and ''Faded' And 'Going Out'' a couple of very good songs and, in Rachel Piper and Gemma Hayes, a couple of vocalists with boundless energy, striking stage presence and spot on harmonies. I would normally want to go and see a band like this again, but if the front man can't be bothered, should I?

Jenny's Birthday is a five piece band from South London who play infectious poppy, indie rock. With songs as good as 'Guns for Hire' and 'Soldier Blue' they are a step ahead of the multitude of other bands of their ilk. The harmony vocals of guitarists Ben and Joe compliment Chris’ lead. Stand out track was 'Mothers Son' which had Joe swapping his guitar for a piano accordion. Jenny's Birthday played an impressive, well paced set that didn't miss a beat – even when the drummer broke his snare.

Opening with Marijana Hajdarhodzic's plaintive vocals The Penny Black Remedy start with 'Don't Count On Us a Balkan Gypsyesque tune that serves notice that this is not your average band.

Wearing a black cowboy hat and a shirt with more fringe than the Edinburgh Festival, vocalist / guitarist / front man Keith Thompson takes us into 'The First Time I Saw Angels' which shows their good time country leanings and ability of getting the crowd to sing, clap and stamp their feet.

Reviewing this band was always going to be tricky: the knack of drinking and writing has been mastered but that of dancing and writing has not. As the 'Penny Black Remedy Theme Tune' ended and their last single '95 Charing Cross Road' started, I stuffed my notebook and pen into my back pocket, held onto my hat and moved forward to join the throng of sweaty souls who were bouncing around unsure if they should be pogoing or two stepping.

They finished with 'Gypsy Hospital Death March' and as they sang "I don’t want to die, die, die", even though my throat was hoarse and my feet were killing me, I was very happy to be alive.

Mixing country with Balkan with ska, The Penny Black Remedy have an unique sound and is, beyond any shadow of doubt, the most exiting live band I have seen this year.

Set List:
Don't Count On Us
You Have Wasted Your Life (now please stop wasting your money)
The First Time I Saw Angels
I Used To Have Such Nice Dreams
The Penny Black Remedy Theme Tune
95 Charing Cross Road
Bring Back Brando
Gypsy Hospital Death March

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.