Chow Chow & !!! @ Shepheards Bush Empire Thursday 22nd March

It's not often I get to see signed bands that have records out as I spend most of my evenings watching unsigned artists (not that this is a bad thing it's just a treat to see a show when you know every song and can have it down the front). But before I discuss the !!! performance I must mention the support act 'Chow Chow' because they are a top band and have some interesting characters in the line up. For example, one of the members used to provide soundtracks to porno films and another is a Happy Hardcore DJ (anyone who grew up in a provincial town will be familiar with this music, Vibes and Lively anyone?). Baring this in mind it was little suprise to see this band belting out beat driven art rock that sounds prettey much like nothing you have heard before, and believe me this is a refreshing experience in these times of generic top shop endorsed indie music. Set highlights included the ace new single 'Dear Francis' (that must be purchased for the snakes & ladders themed artwork as well as the tune) and another belting tune called 'Bright Lights' and the most remarkable thing about this set was the fact that their performance matched the cavernous surroundings that this band are 'so' not used to.

Following Chow Chow was a band called Blood Red Shoes, a two piece band from Brighton that I don't want to discuss because i'm just not into them. So up step !!! with all the attidue of well adapted, educated New Yorker's and as they launch into the first song you realize that when God handed out talent and cool he provided each memeber with an ample portion of both. If you haven't heard of this band then I advise you to go out and buy their new album 'Myth Takes' because they are the real deal. Songs like 'Must Be The Moon' and 'All My Heroes are Werdios' sound like underground classics in the making and when 'Heart of Hearts' kicks in the audience dance like it's a friday night in Manchester 1987. I can't talk anbout this gig anymore because it was so good it's hard to describe so check them out yourself, end of!