I'd not seen Second Go Lucky for a while - and this did not disappoint!! Starting the set with a storming guitar intro, really deep and solid, the vocals soared out on top as the song drove forward with muscle, as the most catchy hokline to the riff commands your attention, a stinging lead guitar wailing out on top to excellent effect, the whole song really kind of singalong, even though you're completely unfamiliar with it, and a great way to open the set, with a blues-tinged but rock-solid slice of indie strength. Because of the dor duties, the second song was noticed as a strong song that lurched and drove with a really solid lead guitar and a strong vocal. Back to concentrating on the band, the third song started with an electrifying guitar riff that went into an almsot indie-dub rhythm as the vocal lurches along on top, sounding completely natural and flowing, while the whole performance sways along in adictive fashion, with that lead guitar ringing out above the expansive rhythm guitar and pounding rhythm section. Then it stops - and accelerates - then returns to its dubby main section.The whole thing is absolutely addictive as it chops and changes, turning into quite a lengthy epic of a track but one that justifies and sustains every second of its journey, and for such an embryonic band, a really amazing track. The fourth track opened with the vocalist over a really deep, booming riff that all dives into fast forward into an explosive rhythm as the vocals really blaze. The track then twists into an almost cossack-esque rhythm before reverting to its monster of a riff then swings back and foorth between the two, a real brain-blaster of a track. There's at times an almost violin-y depth to the guitars as the sound comes across as really rich but still blasts out in rock solid fashion. The fifth track was very View-esque in the beginning, but once again, had that depth to its guitar work only this time smoothly knocking you for 6 rather than biting you in the ass. A great vocal hoOK as chorus rise above the driving rhythms as the drummer really the pounding, almost native sounding, beats, as the song drives forward to spellbinding effect. So, even though I didn't catch every nuance of what was played, I think you'll agree - a typically eclectic Dead Earnest line-up - not one we'd planned, I have to say - but one that, thanks to the goodwill and enthusiasm of all the musicans that played, turned out into a most successful evening all round.

Out of the ashes of The Likely Lads come Second Go Lucky with their debut gig, and I have to say that this was seriously good stuff - well, I don't HAVE to but I'm going to!! With not a trace of looseness or over-confidence, this band have clearly come up with and rehearsed a 5-song set that really hits the spot and shows a glimmer of what they're capable of producing in the future.
Musically, they played 5 songs that are at the memorable end of contemporary indie music but with hints of all sorts of things in there too, from blues to ska, although nothing that takes away from the fact that this is a guitars-led band who can really cook. The first song had that sort of elementary but effective chorus which you find yourself singing along with even though you've never heard it before. Meanwhile the band, led by a twin guitar attack, are providing a full-sounding surge of riffing guitars backed by rhythms that are almost bluesy in feel but in a more driving manner. The vocalist shows off a commanding voice that's got a real holler quality to it but stays "sung" throughout. The second song is strong with that bluesy undercurrent still felt from the guitar work this time, yet still overtly modern and powerful with a sharp and tight arrangement. On top of this, the vocalist powers out but in keeping with the arrangement and not taking over to such a degree that it harms your enjoyment of the band. The third track was relatively lengthy for a band such as this, and went through a number of paces from slow emotion indie to an almost psych-ish ska ending in driving almost punk-esque strength, and back again. The fourth track, a legacy from the previous band, had new life breathed into it and turned out a real winner as regards commerciality, a bit like Sergeant with more guitar firepower and one gem of a rendition. They ended the set with another commercial offering, that had a sing-along chorus verging on indie-rock that dares you not to dance. With a hot band, a distinctive vocalist-in-progress and a clutch of tasty songs, this is a very good start indeed, a real step up from before, and definitely a band to watch out for.