88's & Drive By Argument
>> CCA - Student Network Night>> 10th March 2006
People seem to have a love/hate relationship with students. To one man they can be a pain in the ass who seem to get everything cheaper than everybody else, but tonight this is a showcase networking event that actually show students who work hard and are the future of the music business.
The fine people at Electric Honey Records (Stow College's label) are in attendance, as well as Flat2M music management, Zisys live sound and lighting and former Bluebells front-man Ken McCluskey to name but a few. But I'm here for the bands tonight. A potentially great line-up which also includes DJ Amanda Brown spinning some funky-ass tunes before the bands strut their stuff.
The 88's arrive on stage later than Pete Doherty in a court appearance and kick-off with a degree of arrogance that even Jose Mourinho would be proud of. The thing is, Mourinho has evidence to back up his arrogance, winning over crowds with some great play. The 88's on the other hand, only seem to impress the hideously drunk girl falling into everyone at the front of the stage.
Song after song of out-dated 90's/Manchester-esque indie rock to be honest bores the pants off me, and I'm being more entertained by the drunk girl trying to keep her trousers up and her body vertical with extreme difficulty.
After some delay, Drive By Argument step on stage. There's not a lot more I can say about this band apart from the fact that they are getting better and better with every gig. Another fine, energetic performance is bursting with originality and once the sound man has sorted out all the crazy synths and weird noise making devices on stage the band make the night there own. Dragon, Most Guys Can't Dance and the soul-touching Lower Your Pieces are the stand outs, but this is now a band built for a bigger stage.
The congratulations go to student Gary Sharp who has put together this very worth-while evening, and even if stage times were a little delayed. So if the NME, EMI or DF Concerts are reading this, beware - the students are coming!!
>> Joe Sach
www.student-network.co.uk
www.myspace.com/the88suk
www.drivebyargument.com
www.myspace.com/magicboxmistress
