Psicle: On the Scrounge

First gig for 10 months which is the longest gig drought in over 40 years. Was strangely nervous and hyped before leaving as it if was my first time going to a gig. Fine by the time Debbie and I cycle up to the Windmill which of course is our first venue to patronise. We lock up the bikes, don masks and write our details down on entering. The regulars are on their usual bench watching the football and I wonder if they've been there every night since March. I also muse on the number of amazing bands that they must have heard, if not seen. After being escorted to our table, a brilliant view ring on the dancefloor bit, we place our drinks orders as of course it's table service which is very efficient throughout the evening. To be fair there's only about 50 of us for the two bar staff to serve.

The first act is already on which is Hannah Marsden who has a wonderfully strong voice over backing tracks. Hannah sounds like a classically trained singer operatic in parts. The music is fairly laid back some with just piano and others a bit more indie in a low key way. A great way to ease us into gigging and very appropriate for a romantic evening for me and Debbie gazing into each other's eyes over the candlelit table. Ahhh..... the spell is broken soon after Hannah leaves the stage partly by Ozzy Osbourne coming onto the sound track (followed by Motorhead a taste of what's to come) and partly as Pete and Wendy have arrived. Yay! A round of drinks is ordered from the bar guy who seems to be a lot friendly when he's out among the tables than when behind the bar and we catch up although me and Pete saw each other a week ago when we went for a ride (see Strava). Soon enough the stage is set for the second band,

A Void start with a bang and don't let the energy drop one bit. They are... Female drummer who hits out a strong big rock rhythm punching the songs along occasionally jumping up a gear into a great thrashing beat. Male bassist who jumps around a lot both his playing and himself physically as he pumps out alternating funky beats reminiscent of RATM, almost lead guitarist runs and thrashing hard rocking rhythms. The trio are completed by the female singer and guitarist who jumps from hard rocking beats to all out fuzz box bothering headbangingly heavy thrash. Magnificent and a great way to show us that you can sit and listen to thrashy punk rock. It's difficult but doable. Feels odd sat at a candlelit table with table service tapping yer foot and half headbanging just longing to jump up and start jumping around on the dance floor which is what those lucky folk on stage can do, The guitarist has a little trouble with her dress riding up as she leaps about and what's worse is that an old block on the front table is videoing the set from a low angle. Yes the crowd do seem to be pretty old Debbie thinks that anyone under 40 and who goes to the Windmill doesn't plan gigs far enough in advance to have bought tickets, Anyways the band are great although the lyrics a little uncomfortable such as shouting out about a woman who threw her baby from the 7th floor, Just before the last number the guitarist thanks us and the staff and Hannah and the "next act on who are Scrooge". A topical mistake which makes us all laugh and the bassist has to tell her that the last act are Scrounge not Scrooge. She takes it in her stride laughingly telling us it's because she's French. The last number finished in a brilliantly shambolic noise with the guitarists on the floor. Then jump up for the final breaks and then all fall to the floor again as the drummer slides off her seat still thrashing away. Wow. What have we been missing?

After a traditional sojourn to the beer garden, yes the smoking room is still open and harbouring smokers, we four come back to our table for the headliners Scrounge who are a duo on drums and guitarist singer. Scrounge jump around the genres from indie quirkiness with an edgy jangly guitar through to hard punk rock with a sprinkling of laid back lo fi which Debbie rightly says is like a much less aggressive Sleaford Mods. They play a great set with great energy for just two of them and the guitarist seems to be playing bass lines along with her lead and rhythm guitar. Her vocals combine wonderfully with the music going from deadpan to shouty with a fair bit of proper singing along the way. Last time I saw them at the Lexington was one of the last gigs before lock down and they sounded a bit weak. I think it's the Lexington's audio as they are high energy tonight and back then Italia 90 also sounded disappointingly weak too. After that gig I wrote "I leave determined to see Es again but not the others unless I happen upon them" which I have happened upon Scrounge again and damn glad that I have. Their standout is probably the uncompromisingly urgent Badoom Badoom Badoom which starts at walking pace and crescendos and falls. Soon enough they are thanking us, the other bands and the Windmill staff and off stage although it's still before 10pm which is last orders time too, We order more drinks of course. I'm a little worse for wear by now which I blame on the tequila. Of course we get into a chat with Scrounge which is a little hazy except saying how great they are and them complimenting Debbie on her coat and bag. I hope I didn't make an arse of myself. We depart saying our goodbyes to Pete and Wendy not being sure when we'll all meet up again let alone at a gig. I start off a little wobbly on the bike but soon get into my stride although follow Debbie rather than her following me. Well mostly as at one point I go down the wrong road until Debbie asks where on earth am I going. We make it home safely and with all valuables intact unlike the last gig I saw. A fantastic evening and great to see Pete and Wendy.