They call me Mello Mello

not our crowd, but it was a bit like this!

Had a really great time in Liverpool last night. I can honestly say out of everywhere we have played, Liverpool has been the best city to perform in. The crowd are always responsive and let you know what they thought. There were some familiar faces who had come down to watch which was nice too. Mello Mello is a small cafe/venue pretty much centre of the city and had a really good vibe. By looks of the menu and the range of drinks on offer the venue is proudly independent, serving organic food and drink, serving up homecooked vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Wish I had been able to get there a bit earlier to sample some of it.

We were on first, and went on stage just before 10pm. The place was pretty much packed which was fantastic and we played a very good set which we were all happy with. Everyone we spoke to seemed to be equally supportive, which was fab. One gent went as far as to describe our energy and sound as being like "XTC meets The Skids" which I rather liked... although I doubt it is an accurate description of us in reality!

I was very impressed by the bands we played with last night also, both of whom were Liverpool groups. It makes you realise how depressingly bland most of the music produced in the midlands is when you see these acts who are making interesting and fun music without worrying about falling into any percieved genre. After us was Lisa Locks & The Precious Boys (myspace), which featured Lisa of Bexy Sitch who I was reliably informed by one of the punters (who, coincidentaly, was at our last Liverpool gig) were an amazing group who have now split up into several high calibre groups. I was impressed by Lisa's distinctive guitar style, and musically was put in mind of both Altered Images and Sonic Youth with a hint of the Cocteau Twins for good measure, which I am sure you will agree is an unusual but arousing combination, and it certainly works.

Lovecraft (myspace), the headline act, were a 9 piece which meant the small stage was crammed to capacity. The Free Rock & Roll Pocket Philosophy pamphlet describes them as "Edwardian class English eccentric popsters stalked by the ghost of Vivian Stanshell." I think it's interesting that they mention Stanshall, as the group were eccentric in every sense. However, like Stanshall, there didn't seem to be anything forced about the group: they were just being themselves - and they were deliriously exciting. The had a rockabilly vibe, with a good shot of the macarbe, think Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster but a little more lighthearted - their frontman Craig reminded me a little of Art Brut's Eddie Argos. His general delivery and between song banter was amusing and engaging. All in all, it was a fantastic night of music, and the only downside was having the trek home afterwards and getting lost in Liverpool which seems to be a maze of redeveloped streets which sat-navs just don't know about.

Thanks goes out to Pete Bentham for inviting us to come down and play at Free Rock & Roll, it's a real honour that he gives us the opportunity to play to an interested crowd away from home turf. He has our continued support in all his future endevours and his ongoing mission to provide free rock and roll for all. If you want to find out more about it and Liverpool's great underground music scene check out myspace.com/freerockandroll