Part Chimp, The Men of Unitus, Notorious Hi-Fi Killers, The Black Ramps - Friday 14th July 2006
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
After a very enjoyable afternoon soaking up the sun, sights and sounds (not to mention copious amounts of the 'falling down water') at the town's River Festival, it was time to retreat to the 'old church' to catch up on tonight's bands
Presented by 'No-Lite' records, I am delighted to see that The Black Ramps are opening the show. A band I never tire of witnessing, the three piece certainly make this venue shake and it's a terrible shame that there are not more people here. The favourites 'Megatron Hair', 'Battlecat' and of course 'Saucer Crash' all get an airing. Musically, Black Ramps are straight down the line - no histrionics, no mindless chat, just music played damn well and credit to them for it.
I'm afraid The Notorious Hi-Fi Killers didn't really impress me too much. They kicked off really well with 'Prayer', but that seem to be the sum of the parts and final song 'Into the Light' really should have been retitled 'Into the Dark' (I was sorely tempted!).
Dull, Boring, Inconsequential - certainly not the words to describe The Men of Unitus, whose long serving vocalist always seems to be teetering on the edge of insanity when he performs here! Lanky and probably triple-jointed he cajoles himself into more and more outrageous antics and his singing melts into this talented bands playing. The song 'Guitarmageddon' probably sums it up better than I ever could. The local music scene definitely needs this sort of character!
Part Chimp describe their music as 'Unique Noise Terror'. Sadly that is not what I would call it. Perhaps it was an off-night but for me the end cannot come quick enough.