GAFFA TAPE SANDY, HEX FRIENDS & SLEEMO

We all must need a break from the stress and hassle of the run up to Christmas. For me, that is a trip to the Waterfront. Downstairs, it is Iron Maiden legend Steve Harris and British Lion but I head upstairs to the Studio.
 
First up are local trio SLEEMO. This is just the second time that I have seen them and I am mightily impressed by their churning alt.rock. Bringing to mind artists as diverse as Therapy?, Fugazi, Bitch Magnet and Shellac, they aren’t doing anything particularly new but they do it with some style. If I have to be hypercritical, a longer set could probably do with a bit of variation in the intensity level but things are damned fine for an opening set.
 
Having formed in January, HEX FRIENDS consist of former CLAWS duo of Josie (vocals/bass) and Duncan (drums) along with ex-Box of Light guitarist Connor. Their sound is a snotty, grungy take on pop. This performance seems a touch reserved compared to previous sets that I have caught - perhaps that is down to bass strap issues or one member of the band (allegedly) being mightily hungover – but, if anything, I like them more tonight. The likes of Deja Vu, Prince Charming and closer Pinky Promise are as catchy as hell and this is a band that writes damned fine pop songs.
 
When I first saw GAFFA TAPE SANDY– just over two years ago – I thought they were just about perfect, describing them for Outline as “60s garage and Who-style maximum R'n'B filtered through punk, hardcore, grunge and, well, pretty much any of the great guitar-based music of the last 55 years or so”. Since then, I have caught them almost every time that they have hit Norwich and travelled to see them play their home town of Bury St Edmunds.
 
Given how they seemed to spring into existence fully-formed - and gobsmackingly brilliant - I couldn’t really see how could develop or get better. Tonight, just two months after I last saw them, they prove me wrong and take things to another level. In part, this must be down to the incredibly enthusiastic response from the audience. Right from opener Water Bottlethere is an enthusiastic pit - complete with moshing, slam dancing, pogoing and even some Northern Soul moves straight from Wigan Casino - and the crowd sing along with gusto. The band feed on that enthusiasm and give it back with interest. I haven’t seen vocalist/guitarist Kim and bassist/vocalist Catherine dance around so much. The only downer is that drummer Robin is out of action for medical reasons and doesn’t get to see it but Noah is an outstanding stand-in.
 
This is rock music and I stand by my earlier comparisons but there is more to GTS than that. They have added touches of ska, 2Tone and post-punk to the mix and, however frantic things get, the songs are all big, shiny pop at heart. In an another world and another time, it would take GTS to the stadia of the world.
 
Tonight has been exhausting, in a good way. Three great bands playing to a young (me excepted of course) and passionate crowd. How could it get any better?