The Sportiques + Big Squirrel + Spinouts + Eleanor - Messclean @ The Frog On The Front, Portsmouth. 24/03/06.

Another sweltering night down Messclean and I really wish they would sort out the air conditioning as I'm not sure how long I can put up with swimming around in pools of sweat and believe me there was plenty of it tonight. Bit of a rock n roll/garage theme tonight as The Good Time Charlies were supposed to be headlining but had to pull out due to drummer injuries (what is it with drummers & injuries?!) but they are still represented as Big Squirrel have stepped in and bass thing Nish is lurking on the fringes.

But first of all we have solo act Eleanor to confuse us all. Now, I know the Messclean team love Eleanor and she certainly has a smile that could melt any heart from a hundred metres and when she sings those fizzy punkish pop numbers she has a fantastic voice, but, she lacks a backing band and that's where the problem lies as she looks a little lost on the stage singing along to a backing track. Stick a full band behind her and the bubblegum punk would sparkle to life, then strip away the couple of more mature Sunday morning tunes and replace them with even more of that life affirming fizziness that Eleanor is so good at and we'd be on to a winner. So next time I want to see a band for Eleanor to feed off of!

Spinouts are all about taking garage rock, beefing it up with customised harmonies, giving it fat wheels and sprinkling the whole shebang with glitter. Within one song, Spinouts are drenched in sweat as they rock out with twin guitar action, stabbing riffs giving away to sprawling feedback as a thunderous, yet glamorous bass pummels away at your skull so you can't fail to take notice of them.
Let's not forget the tunes though as there are plenty of them, big, big tunes that are sharp and to the point, stripped away of any flab so we are left with just the cream of rock n roll energy and there is plenty of that emanating from the stage as the temperature rises steadily to almost unbearable highs and the band are in danger of having their heads explode. Yes, Spinouts are a rather fine band and I urge you to go shake your thing to their powerful rock n roll energy if they happen to stop by your way, you won't regret it, I promise you.

So, onto Big Squirrel and our paths cross once more and do you know what? Our paths could cross every day and still I would be happy to watch this duo create mayhem with just a drum kit and guitar. Everytime I see this band I am amazed at what hits me and tonight I'm glad it wasn't a drumstick, as Steve seems to be having a few problems keeping hold of them, for what reason one can only guess as he is reduced at one point to playing the kit with one hand and one stick...genius. But then the whole concept of Big Squirrel is genius, making as much noise as possible with as little as possible while sticking their tongue firmly in their cheek, your cheek and quite possibly between your backside cheeks. I mean, just watch that Tom chap as he slips in some lyric changes to German Sex Tourist to bring in Gary Glitter and a subtle change to English Sex tourist, clever things these squirrels and then there are the tunes; catchy as fuck dirty riffs that melt down Motown with the blues and shape it into some alt-rock/garage hybrid. I doubt if they really care what you call it, but it will leave you itching in the morning.
It's rubbish trying to explain what they are like, I can give a rough idea of the music but what you miss is the humour, the never ending banter that comes with seeing a Big Squirrel, the fine lyrics and the tunes that nail themselves to your forehead in an aggressive manner. Everyone should see them at least once as you won't see a better duo anywhere round here and the comment that everyone seems to come up with is 'how do they make such a fantastic noise with just the two of them, a drum kit and an acoustic guitar'. I still can't work out how they do it, but I'm glad they do. Roll on next time Squirrel types.

The Sportiques have the envious job of following up such a raucous set but they have a couple of extra hands to help them tonight in the form ex- Green Hornets chaps Keith on organ and Nish who ventured on stage for one number to provide backing vocals on a Hornets cover. The Sportiques take a more traditional walk down garage lane, bright sing a long choruses with plenty of guitar action and swirling organ sounds. They are a good time band with a plethora of decent tunes that the die hards enjoy tonight; it all becomes slightly chaotic at times as invited and uninvited guests shamble on and off stage to join in the fun while their mainman looks resigned to the fact that it is just one of those nights and goes with the flow.
They produce a fine set and while they may lack the power and punch of Big Squirrel and Spinouts it is an enjoyable end to a fine evening of good time rock n roll, played just the way it should be.