review by Nina Ahmadi

The Five Families Launch night @ Soho Revue Bar 30/8/07  
Featuring Starling; The Allies, Shabby Rogue and Tankus The Henge

"An impressive night kicked off the initial Five Families monthly residence at the Soho Revue Bar, and provided the music devotees present with an evening of distinct and worthy entertainment"

Sweet sounding, guitar heavy, melodic Indie descended upon a busy Soho last Thursday night; much to the excitement of all assembling at the Revue bar, bottle in hand and attention firmly directed towards its stage. Four bands were ready and waiting to kick off The Five Families inaugural monthly slot in the heart of the city, and the blissful suspense in the air was heavy.

Starlingstepped up as first band on, performing an understated, subtle but captivating set. Their music style radiates a somewhat rockier Bluetones sound; with a similar delicate and charming vocal tone, reinforced by a trio of guitars which boldly rang out across a room filled with an attentive crowd. Now I’ve Got a Reason did not fail to shine brightly, representing how bands who ‘have something’ should undeniably sound. Stand out track Say What You Will delivered the emotion, and catchy anthemic promise that almost guarantees a first-rate tune; whilst still sounding fresh, personal, and fiercely individual.

Next up The Alliessped up the pace considerably, and delivered songs that deserve to be part of the soundtrack to every music fiend’s summer. They exude the intense, frustrated, twisted Indie insecurities; that make you want to hear more and cause you to hope for a longer set complete with all the more violins (skilfully present in No Love Lost), and spot on harmonies. Their sound can be seen to feature a definite punky edge, with their general tempo reinforcing this notion, and is clearly present in This Land; an obvious stand out classic. The Birmingham five piece produced a real depth in sound, and effortlessly delivered a set that could have easily fooled you into believing there were at least fifty of them on stage.

Shabby Rogueembodied a band that (without a shadow of a doubt) plays music for the love of playing; and this passion was clearly evident on Thursday. They performed a set complete with a mixture of acoustic and electric noise which blended strikingly, whilst harnessing the excitement of the crowd; who circled the stage awaiting each new acoustic/bluesy note. Is It My Love began slowly and thoughtfully; but quickly transformed into a punky like cue for the entire room to put down their drinks and move without too much thought. The shouts for an en-core were loud and fervent, and proved just how far their energy and passion had extended.

Nothing can prepare the individual for Tankus The Henge;who strode on stage next, complete with sailor suit, trilby and old piano. A band that are impossible to categorise, and who simply create their own genre; played a rocky, abstract and truly intriguing set. Absolute charisma accompanied each song, but Smiling Makes The Day Go Quicker particularlycaptured their energy and essence; and no doubt convinced the audience that these guys had time-travelled from a different era; hell bent on entertaining 21st century London with their 60’s inspired, alternative, fake snow and feather sharing, guitar based expression. Let us all thank the Indie-god in the sky.

An impressive night kicked off the initial Five Families monthly residence at the Soho Revue Bar, and provided the music devotees present with an evening of distinct and worthy entertainment just waiting to find its way from the stage into your head and switched onto repeat. An unquestionably wise gig choice for next month; my advice is to mark it in your overly packed diary and wait patiently.

http://www.myspace.com/thefivefamilies

Review date: September 2007