Alright, first up was the one man blues band that is the Ash Grunwald look-alike that is Claude Hay. Despite having one of the more weird names for a roots artist he’s surprisingly good. When I say surprisingly good I mean he should be an automatic second support position, not first. Using a variety of looping tricks and guitars he becomes quickly the sets up the rhythm section and proceeds to hold interest the whole time. While he’s a skillful solo artist it’d be real interesting to see him play with others. Definitively one to keep an eye out for.

After Hay departed The Protectors set up. Half dressed in hippy garb, half in punk; it was impossible to guess exactly how they would sound, unless you’d played it safe and said straight-forward alternative. After about two alright rock tunes I was about to write them off, until they exploded with a massive burst of creativity with four way harmonies and maxed out wah and other effects. In short – not half bad and fun to watch.

Stepping on to the stage and into the smoke were at last The Fumes, with mardi-gras-beads-clad singer/guitarist bringing forth confetti for all! (of those in the front row). Steve Merry’s guitar sounds like a dirty buzz-saw going through condensed taffy, which is to say friggin’ amazo. Tonight was a night for showing off new material which they did in spades, with Python For A Pillow, their thunderin’ new signal kicking things off early.

Also of special note was Rogue River Woman, which manages to chug and slide along at the same time, along with Who Do you Love (nod towards Bo Diddley) and Cuddle Up The Devil. While the duo concentrated on newer material, it being a new album tour – œn all, older material was not forsaken with the likes of Run to the Mother also appearing. The night was rounded off with a piano tune by Steve, who drummer Joel Battersby didn’t even know he could play until after eight years of being together (que collective – œaww…’). In short, a fine night out and a promising taste of the new Fumes album Sundance.

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