IN years past, I would go to this venue two dozen times a year. 

These days, it's just once or twice a year. The sign by the door proudly proclaims, "This is a strictly no-smoking venue" and yet when that door is opened the room is filled with smoke. Sigh. So I waited until the bands actually started to play before going in.

First up and from Basingstoke were Redhead, a dirty classic rock band who have sprung from the now defunct Bloody Thumbs.

Basingstoke Gazette:

The crowd was a little light at this early stage, but there was a good little gang of supporters to cheer the band on. They are not massively original, but they are good musicians, a tight band and they put on a great show.

Next up were Howland, an indie/alternative band from Southampton. They were a bit younger and I think the band is fairly new (but I might be wrong).

Basingstoke Gazette:

I had not seen these guys before and they are not the sort of style I usually go for, but musically I quite enjoyed them. They definitely displayed some good riffs and competent guitar playing. It was just the main vocals which I felt let the band down a little.

They were a little flat and pedestrian and did not sit well with the music. This is not a quality issue, more a consistency/compatibility one. Of course, I am no proponent of the genre, so my observations should be treated with caution.

Main support was provided by Amethyst Kyss from Basingstoke who I have seen and enjoyed many times before - well can you blame me, female-fronted pop-punk is pretty unusual these days. Indeed, females are still woefully under-represented in rock bands.

Basingstoke Gazette:

I know their stuff well and they do fit in a fair bit of variety into their songs and their delivery. The crowd was a little light alas, with people only watching the one band they had come to see, rather than checking out the whole bill. Still, I think that those who were in the room liked what they saw and heard.

The headliners were Southampton-based rock band Black Sheep who were obviously pretty popular, judging by the number of fans they had.  

A little technical gremlin threatened to derail what had been a well run show, but it was sorted so that the guys could start. Straight-up bluesy-rock I'd say, really well played by what is obviously a group of solid musicians.

Basingstoke Gazette:

They were worthy headliners and fair play to the band members for having the good manners to check out the other bands - their fans should follow their example.

Well done to all the bands and the management and staff of the venue for an entertaining Saturday night.

Have I left out the man with his finger on the smoke button? Good - there were already several hours of a tight chest and headache in the wee small hours dedicated to him!

Neil Duncan, Issuepunkzine