Dream Nails + Peach Club

It is terrible that it is still noteworthy when a band includes a woman on anything other than vox, let alone when a band is all female. Now the only reason I mention this is because of the second point. Tonight, we have two all-female, feminist bands playing music that is rooted in punk and riot grrrl so the obvious - lazy? - comparisons for this male writer to make would be the Slits, Poly (X-Ray Spex) Styrene and Bikini Kill. Yes, Dream Nails and Peach Club have something of all of these about them.

It has been the best part of two years since I last saw Peach Club. In that time, I can’t see that there has been any real change in style from the L7-meets-Mudhoney grunge-punk that I had so enjoyed. That said, Boy In A Band is almost New York no-wave whilst Mission Impossible comes on like the Stooges and has a vocal part that borders on rap. The foursome are a hell of a lot more confident on stage and certainly seem to be enjoying themselves far more than I remember. Katie is a strong vocalist and both she and guitarist Charlie dance around the stage with abandon. Bassist Amanda is a touch more reserved but regularly locks eyes and exchanges smiles with the others. At the back, Rebecca is a rock-solid anchor in drums. I will certainly not be leaving it another two years before I see Peach Club again.

Self-confessed witch punks Dream Nails hit the stage in an explosion of colour and movement. Janey doesn't sound anything like the late, great Poly Styrene but there are similarities in the stage moves and clothes. Either side of Janey, Anya and Mimi (guitar and bass, respectively), don’t stop moving all set. Arguably, the star of the show is the whirlwind of limbs and sticks that is drummer Lucy, who even leaves the kit to come to the front of the stage to address the crowd.

Songs about abuse and smashing the patriarchy could, in lesser hands, make for a show that is po-faced and heavy going. Serious as the issues are and as passionate and heartfelt as the songs are, Dream Nails also have a lighter side, with songs about texting too soon and aerobics instructors, and always keep an element of humour to the show,