At The Horrors Gig

READER REVIEW: Checking out the scary-haired Southend band's intimate London gig...

The Horrors, Cafe 1001, December 5, London

Caf 1001, in a back room of a bar on Brick Lane in the heart of London's trendy Shoreditch and you could be forgiven for thinking the headline act had come to the gig via Russell Brands wardrobe.

Huge hair, tight trousers and growling feedback that could shake the fillings from your teeth ensue as they take to the pitch black stage.

Before the first song is out the crowd are bouncing off the walls and the looks of pain and joy on the faces of the front row say it allThe Horrors are going down a storm.

The stand-out tracks of the night are the thrashtastic 'Death at the Chapel' and new single 'Count in Fives'. Its a thrilling performance that sees front man Farris Badwan hanging from stage speakers and just about everything else within reach, growling through their tracks at high speed and high volume.

Their short sharp blasts of distorted techno zombie rock for the most part last all of about 2 minutes but the energy and force with which they are delivered could sustain songs of twice the length.

Amongst the revellers, Horrors look-a-likes and hairspray, Bobby Gillespie, iconic front man for Primal Scream, watches contentedly from a safe distance where charity shop cowboy boots and leather-clad elbows are less likely to be flying around at head height.

The Horrors show is energetic, powerful and just a little bit terrifying.

This review was provided by Nick MacDonald from London.