Posted on March 3, 2010 - by Editor

Jaya The Cat + Advantage + The Apostates

Jaya The Cat © Imelda Michalczyk

Underworld
London, UK
Friday 26th February 2010

Having seen all of the bands on the bill (and I could be wrong but I think it’s the same UK based support acts as the last time Jaya came to The Underworld?) I was slightly disappointed that Clay Pigeon pulled out last minute due to unforeseen circumstances as it would have added an element of the unknown the night’s proceedings.

But compared to previous Jaya The Cat shows, the crowd seemed to have swelled in numbers which means they must be doing something right, this being their third visit to the same venue in the past 20 months or so, making the trek from the lowlands of Amsterdam.

The Aspostates lined up first and with the trademark gruff vocals (sometimes comically sounding like Zed AKA Bob Goldthwait from The Police Academy) performed their skanking mix to with a rootsy feel as the three piece effortlessly but not without determination belted out their self penned numbers. They do transcend genres and are neither old skool ska nor the 90s trademark pop punk ska that many bands emulated. Its raw and British grit laced with guitar licks offering plenty of sound for a three piece with attitude and punk rock numbers to boot, perhaps Mad Caddies-like ska punk would be an apt comparison. Their last song with the chorus “Save Our Town” (I think) was a fine set ender.

Advantage play blend of pop skapunk but carry great energy throughout their set and for a six piece, manage to involve all their members well on stage, with the horns and lead vocalist attracting most of the attention. Its good fun and difficult to knock the guys, it’s a sound and genre that was heavily replicated for many years but as the cool factor wore off the glut of bands disappeared. Bands like Advantage have stood their ground, adapted and continue to play the music they enjoy so fair play to that. It’s up tempo, danceable and accessible to a variety of people- and there are far worse clones out there!

Jaya The Cat who by my count (as mentioned earlier) return to the capital of London for the third time over a short period of time have slowly built up a fan base to their laid back drinking themed Sublime-esque songs. With Geoff’s Lagadec’s razzy vocals and laidback demeanor, dark shades ever present, the band jump into lyrics”Hello Hangover, how you doing,my old friend”, and probably truthfully they still carry the burdens of their previous nights partying. Drink and drugs are synonymous with Jaya lyrically, and the shows have always been good fun with the band always quick to forge a bond with their crowd that creates a party environment made for dancing and swaying at worst.

Their previous record has been out for a couple of years now, and the set list might be getting a bit stale in terms of variety so it would be great to hear if a new record is in the pipeline but with a bulk of the material still coming from “More Late Night Transmissions With…” the seedy ska punk blend of songs can vary in pace from groovy slow to punk rock fast. The set itself seems to fly by pretty quick and the last two songs are a punk number which seems apt according to Geoff for a Friday night before finale “Closing Time”; their trademark set-closer brings an end to an enjoyable night!