I did say that this blog thing would die a death but I'll persevere, chipping in ill-founded comments on gigs and the like. for example, the show at the all-new Bongo Club (now at Moray House). Baby Tiger were putting on 4 bands in an 'all-ages' show though the main constituent of the audience was students after cheap stella, I suspect. It's a big venue with loads of seats at the back but there was, I hope, enough crowd to make back the investment. They got good value anyway - Closer opened, having been the last to arrive. The sound for what would be the first band at the Bongo's first rock gig was a bit muddy, not helped by the singing drummer sounding slightly distant. That's the first Biffy reference and Closer make music in a similar vein i.e. chart-friendly stop-start pop-punk. Their single 'Clever', on tasteful turquiose vinyl, should be in a shop near you.
Chocyamo, they tell us, have music availble at their dotcom, which is useful. I'm listening to 'The Future' as I type and it's a nice floaty guitary piece with understated female vocals, kind of Yo La Tengo or even Delgados in vein. Not like Sonic Youth, I note, which is how somone described them at the gig. Certainly this may have been in their 'rockier' moments, or just the rather iffy sound that pervaded their set which wasn't helped by their only occasional use of bass.
Won Mississippi are, I guess, made to play venues where the mix isn't perfect. They are either loud, or quiet, simple as that and they make the transition between these states perfectly, searing guitars punctuated by sudden moments of silence. Vocals are always promiment simply because neither singer really needs a microphone. They're excitably lively tonight and even treat us to 'Aniseed Tang', a 'ba-ba ba-'driven stab at chart success.
Mercury Tilt Switch are nearing the end of a Transit tour of the UK and do seem a little worn down, as they try to shrug off the flu. So they're a bit static on stage, putting their energies into their sound, which is as ever a mighty noise. 'Caffeine Avalanche' is a high-point as ever, while new sing;e 'What the Kids Are Buying' will hopefully be just that.  ¶ 9:00 AM