The Twang, Octagon,

The Twang - according to the title of their recent debut LP - love it when they feel like this. They certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves, a feeling they passed on to most of the crowd. However, although it was good, it could get even better given some time.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Oct 2007, 10:40 BST

It's a bit like an updated Happy Mondays, even down to the two frontmen. However, in this case both of them sing, as well as giving Bez a run for his money in the out-of-time dancing stakes. Thankfully unlike the Mondays - at least judging by their recent performance at this venue - The Twang are still fresh enough to show a lot of enthusiasm. And there are other elements to their music as well. The Streets, who they recently worked with, are an influence (like Mike Skinner, main vocalist Phil Etheridge is Birmingham-born but sings in a curious southern-style accent) and according to some there are also hints of Marillion in their sound.

It's entertaining live, although some of their stuff does sound a bit samey - but hopefully as they develop they will fulfil their potential shown by excellent debut single Wide Awake, which was left until the end of the main set and proved to be the highlight of the evening. If they can write more songs of that standard, we'll all love feeling like that.

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Sheffield's very own Little Man Tate had headlined here a few months ago, which must have made their support slot seem a bit surreal. However their shortened set proved punchy enough. Despite being described as 'Arctics ambulance chasers' by another local musician recently, there is more to them than just monkeying around.

Hardly earthshattering, but still good fun.

John Quinn

Related topics:Birmingham