gNasher the Untamed Impaler

So a hectic week for me begins at the Queens Head in Brixton to meet with the footie lads for a drink before hitting the Academy. It's Open Mic Night so our ex footie lad Karl is there setting up shop and waiting for the pre Academy punters to leave before putting on his first act. Simon, Nick, Pete and myself wander down to the gig and after mooching about near the downstairs doors decide there's no way we'll get in and go up to the balcony where we're meant to be sitting. Hang around at the back so we don't have to sit. TAME IMPALA come on to rapturous applause which surprises me as this blog aka my memory notes that at Glastonbury last year I "drift down into the Park area and I catch the tail end of Tame Impala who sound good" then Pulp blew us away. Willing to put that lack of memorableness down to me rather than they I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Sounded like we thought as in competent musicians playing slightly heavier early Floyd with a slightly psychedelic feel but to be honest nothing to shout and scream about. Which is exactly what a large portion of the gallery were doing foxing us boys. But you can't help wishing you were downstairs so that put a damper on things. Left my mutual consent before any encore, I assume there was one. Back at the Queens Head Karl and open mic are in full swing with his very enthusiastic but poorly enunciated MCing (his brothers criticism not mine) and witty singer songwriters. Given it's 3 nights out on the trot this week we all leave well before the witching hour.

After 5-a-side on Wednesday Alex asks me and Nick for our scores of Tame - we give 6/10 as we were upstairs and probably would've been 7 or maybe 8 downstairs.

Thursday sees me and Pete sitting in a Dalston cafe eating Turkish fare en route to the Shacklewell Arms for an intimate gig with Kate Nash. Last saw her Glastonbury 2010 and brought tears to my eyes so looking forward to this. After fighting through the bar hoggers we are watered and just in time to see the one woman show that is ALANNA aka IDE-S. Whispy lyrics and attitude but with a big rock guitar sound funnelled out through the magnificent Marshall amps she goes down well.

Ide-S getting us in the zone

Next up are THE TUTS who have a following with denim jackets with The Tuts embroidered onto them. The 3 girl band have a most unlikely looking front woman who is pretty, made up and very tidy clothes. The first chord blows away any prejudices I have and they launch into a simply brilliant heavy punk set with 13 to the dozen singing in an old school garage style. Great! Says they're gonna do a Clash song and for the first few bars I don't recognise it then realise it's Rudy Can't Fail sounding like it's been put on at 78rpm (yeah, I remember them).

Fiery rockers!

Stunned Pete and I stagger to the bar then for a breathe of fresh air in the beer garden then in for a good spot for KATE NASH who comes on as a four piece all girls with Kate playing a very dirty bass. The Tuts were down front loving it and Kate and her crew didn't disappoint with a blinding performance of out and out hard rock n roll rhythms with an out and out guitar hero lead guitarist who grinned at Kate whenever pulling guitar hero poses but blimey could she churn out the licks. In between songs Kate coyly chatted with us and obviously loved being there as did the other two guitarists. Unfortunately drummers are hidden in a weird grotto so not sure about her. Funny how gentle she is with the audience whilst her lyrics are as barbed wire and seemingly anyone who slights her is impaled on clever and beautiful lyrics. All backed fittingly by fast punk with attitude and the best I've heard for a while. Having seen Savages recently loath to say that but Kate is the girl. The gig was in aid of charity and she was even collecting with a tin at the door. Bet Bono and Sting don't do that when they're massaging their consciences at charity events. She's the real deal. As we scored Tame (Pete thought 6 was very generous) tonight must be 7, 9 and 9.7 out of ten tonight. Slight points off as no mad dancing but that's lightweight east London trendies for you and if I'd started they'd gone flying like skittles. I've given you a taster and there'll be loads online. As I said back in 2010 in my report... see her live!!

Drummer in the black hole