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Chris Roberts reviews the first gig at The ‘revamped’ Tower. 

After half an hour of deliberating over whether or not I looked rock enough for tonight’s gig, I finally decided to think fuck it, down my g & t (clearly the answer was no then) and head out towards The Tower Arts Centre. I’m not a praying man usually, but all the way there I was pleading with the big guy (the G Man, not Phil Jupitus) that the gig wouldn’t follow the sad trend of the two previous nights. 

The omens looked bleak as I strutted along the leafy suburban lane to sounds and sights of nothing more than birdsong, lawnmowers and 4 x 4’s. But wait, is that an eyelinered youth I spot through the bushes? It is! Phew. Strolling through the gates I see more, and vans, and all worries are put to rest as it appears tonight’s event will get the crowd it deserves. Backstage before the gig I’m starting to get excited - mainly because of looking forward to seeing the acts again, of course. But I’m also lucky enough to catch a quick chat with the Gundogs girls and try not to blush like a schoolboy. What? They’re great musicians, okay?  

Last time I saw the Gundogs was at an Oxjam gig last year, where the girls soaked me with water because I had the unfortunate task of telling them we had to end their set - the playful scamps. This time, they’re just back from a blinding performance at the Isle of Wight festival, nearing the end of their tour and alleging to be tired…a claim which is totally at odds with their performance later.  

But before the gig there’s more important things to take care of. A quick nose around The Tower, and the bar. Naturally. Tonight is the first gig at the ‘revamped’ Tower, and it’s nice to have a new (old) kid back on the block with a proper venue set up. And its buzzing, and for very good reason - Nicotine Smile are due on. Just enough time for another beer - hey, it was free, stop judging me! - and scramble my way through with everyone else. As soon as the lights are on them, belying the fact its only their third or fourth gig, off they kick in brash confidence. And it’s fully justified.

The voice of disenchanted angry youth has always gone hand in hand with rock. The baton is now taken up by Nicotine Smile. As well as the ballsy rock, they also melt into the mix on stage the best bits of two tone / ska, punk and hard beats. Lithe and snakelike, Tom is the perfect swaggering front man - an heir apparent to Iggy Pop, and making Liam Gallagher look like James Blunt.  

As well as the aforementioned influences, they are equally fresh, inventive and vigorous - winning fans in their dozens with each gig. ‘City Life’ is one of the songs that does that and really should be released, like, now. Cocksure enough to do an instrumental in the set and not really give a fuck as to whether its the done thing or not, convinced as they are by their own vision and music. And too fucking right they should be. The band is tight, loud, fluid and…well, you must, must catch their next gig. God I sound like a groupie. 

All too soon its the last song - ‘Night Out’ - which is the perfect end to the set, a rocking punky call and response anthem that kicks you in the bollocks and makes you want to pogo your tits off. Nice. And as they finish the set and leave the stage, fittingly ‘The Who’ is being pumped from the speakers…these guys could well be their offspring for this generation.

Between changeovers, its pats on back all round and new fans won in the shape of Gundogs - praise indeed. Weirdly though, on chatting with Tom he’s not entirely happy with the set tonight or the performance. He must have temporarily lost his sight and hearing though, as the audience seemed to have distinctly the opposite view. Tommy, that deaf, dumb and blind kid….sure plays a mean rock’n'roll. Sorry, after the Who reference, I’m incapable of resisting bad puns like that.

Hellcyon, hailing from Southampton are next. Much more your traditional cock rock band, and have been doing a nice line in it. It’s all there - head banging guitarist, Animal like drummer, high pitched guitar solos, posturing front man - and they do it well enough. But surprisingly its a new song which gets my attention most and is an interesting departure, moving them into mellower territory, highlighting a different style. They’ll hate me for saying this I’m sure, god even I hate myself for saying it, but its sort of like Maroon 5 backed by a rock injection from Jet - and despite how that might sound to you, it’s really good. Dropping into the funkier moments I enjoy them much more. For me, and its just the way I associate it, ‘grizzled jack daniels rock anthems’ work more when you’ve been worn and weathered by excess - and because of their age it stops me fully engaging in that side of their set. They close with another driving track, ‘Do You Want It’, reminiscent of the Ramones and NY Garage bands, and it’s a really enjoyable number and bit of a crowd pleaser. 

So far, so very, very good. I decide to celebrate with G & T, Guinness and lager - Separately of course. Taking in the awesome crowd, gassing away backstage as the Gundogs get ready - I’m getting very excited. So, after the young pups have had their go, its time for the Gundogs to show why they are feted up and down the country as one of Rocks hottest acts.

This is how it should be done - sexy and oozing rock, they are a sensational live band in looks, presence and killer sounds. Leila and Maria lead the stage, dripping in cool rock chic, and riot girl attitude. It’s probably a bit obscure for most, but they remind me a lot of ‘The Nymphs’ - an early nineties grunge era, female led rock band. Sharing lead vocal and guitar duties, they dovetail perfectly between grungy harmony and feisty punk. ‘Call Out My Name’, the new single, is the kind of raw, driving broody classic that is great live, and the kind of song that Hole only wish they could have written.  

Like the band, it is effortlessly cool, full of attitude and uncompromisingly raw and exciting. Looking dazzling as always, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the girls, bathed in the stage lights and astride the amps - every inch the perfect rock goddesses. But more than that, they play an awesome guitar and sing with great passion and attitude. Chris and Dan make up the four piece with some vibrant drumming and bass, shaping the songs and squeezing the attitude right out of them. 

Switching vocals again for another perfect slice of rock, they cruise through their set with attitude and polish - kicking out the stagnancy of many a rock band, and injecting something fresh.

Gundogs rock, and leave you feeling sweaty, a little dirty, but oh so good.  

http://www.myspace.com/nicotinesmile

http://www.facebook.com/pages/NICOTINE-SMILE/31771035206?ref=mf

http://www.myspace.com/hellcyon

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hellcyon/6702299830?ref=ts

http://www.myspace.com/gundogs 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gundogs/27180130227?ref=ts