Manniquin + Rotating Leslie + Dregs Of Society - Messclean, Portsmouth. 08/07/05

The Dregs see themselves as some kind of metal gods stuck somewhere between AC/DC and Guns N Roses and they do a pretty good impression of both when they rock out. This is pumped up manly rock with solid riffs and beats; shame the singer looks like he's just rushed in from his office job but if you look away you'd think Bon Scott was back. They are far too much like established bands to really break away from opening slots but they are a good warm up band and get the blood pumping.

Roating Leslie have arrived from London town and the NME have been sniffing around and with good reason judging by tonights set. They have that wonderful eclectic shambolic feel about them; jangly indie breaking down into almost dub rhythms and then jetting off into delicious space prog rock before returning to tightly played masterpieces. There is a nice wave of throbbing bass going on and two wonderfully textured guitars weaving their magic though it's a real battle to win over the local crowd who are here to see their mates, as is always the case when a visiting band invades Messclean. An excellent band worth catching if they venture your way and a name you may well hear more of in the future.

Mannequin seem to have shifted from a metal band into a full blown alt-rock beast that steams through a set of high paced groove laden songs. They have that nice loose feel about them and manage to combine a nice feel for melody and pure noise. A step in the right direction and it will be interesting to see how they develop from here.