Posted on October 17, 2009 - by Editor

The Grit + Sorry And The Sinatras + The Loyalties + The Adjusters

The Underworld
Camden- London, UK
Thursday October 15th 2009

The Grit © Imelda Michalczyk

Another school night and sadly another London show which starts with a small crowd despite the promising line-up. The Adjusters, a four piece from Wigan start off a bit subdued probably because what crowd there was were “London reserved” but the band soon livened up. Their 70’s influenced rock n roll with great guitars does little to shake the night up but they do give a decent account of themselves. Their final song is catchy and could easily be play listed but the band is a victim of a lack of atmosphere.

The Royalties, a band I know little about comprise members of The Yo-Yos, Towers Of London, The Black Halos, and Deadline and swell the numbers considerably in the room. The Rocking four piece receive a great response, and get bodies dancing and lungs pumping but for whatever reason I can’t get into them. They are full of harmonies and melodies and their stylized look is very rockabilly but their sound is very poppy at the same time. They do however have great energy and play tight. The lead singer has gravely vocals well supported by the rest of the band with an early punk rock sound and rockabilly blend going down a treat with their fans.

Sorry And The Sinatras, again a band that’s I have missed on my musical radar play loud fast rock punk. Driven by some mean riffs the Anglo American band, three quarters American, again have a strong following in the crowd and Scott Sorry of The Wildhearts is probably a big pull factor. They are raucous and seem to enjoy themselves on stage, with the banter suggesting they have had some issues finally getting on the road in the UK. Sadly the initial part of the set is spoilt by some technical issues but they trooper on. They dedicate their final song to lost friends and genuinely appreciate the support on the night.

For reasons that escape me, the crowd number dwindle slightly after the Sinatra’s before headlining act, and in my opinion deservedly so, The Grit take to stage. The opening track “Straight Out The Alley” from their similarly titled latest record marks their arrival and from the onset they rip up the night with so much more energy than the previous acts.

On the stage left the stand up double bass is as much a circus prop for their onstage antics but their high energy levels and mix of rockabilly and skanking songs naturally generate movement in the crowd. With a selection of great songs to call from only two albums, the Grit are in no doubt one of the finest UK bands out there. Their ability to switch the tempo from high octane to sweet sing along slow means they can control the atmosphere and party vibe. With a lengthy show ending rendition of “Out The Womb an Angry Cunt” led with numerous shouts of that British favorite curse “Cunt”; the band hopefully receives more appreciation and praise from the rest of the country than London shows them.