Tom n Rags - Sept 24 Back in February, former The Loyalties bandmates Tom Spencer and Rich Ragany came together to celebrate their combined careers at the intimate Aces n Eights.  It went down so well that we are back there tonight for round two. The former bank vault is an ideal venue for this kind of show – the decadent feel of the place gives itself over to a night of old favourites, missed cues, guest appearances and glorious rumbustious fun.

Up first is Craig Temple, making a welcome return to the live scene after spending the past two years recovering from injury. Looking dapper in his zig zag shirt, waistcoat and wide brimmed hat, Craig’s songs have an engaging western feel to them and there’s some nice guitar picking along the way. He’s not fully gig fit after the time away but for a first gig back, this is an enjoyable set that is more than bolstered by Craig’s charm. Craig Temple - Sept 24 Making a welcome return to Aces n Eights is Matty James Cassidy. Away from playing in Tyla’s Dogs D’amour, Matty has a decent sized back catalogue of his own to delve into. Tonight, Matty is as amicable as always with his unmistakably warm Northern Irish brogue joking that most of his songs conclude with someone dying. A couple of songs from the outstanding Balladmongrels’ album recorded with Tyla are very welcome in the set.  Finishing with the singalong ‘Same Old Me (Brand New You)’ it’s been an excellent and well received thirty-minute set. Matty James Cassidy - Sept 24
Tom and Rags have a vast amount of musical experience between them. Tom Spencer has been in, amongst others, The Yo-Yos, The Loyalties, The Professionals and can be currently found playing in the legendary The Men They Couldn’t Hang. Rich Ragany’s career started in Canada where the fresh-faced youth found some success in Red Autumn Fall. Relocating to London, he played in The Loyalties with Tom before forming Role Models and then Rich Ragany and the Digressions. Both Role Models and the Digressions produced a succession of fantastic albums that would proudly sit in any self-respecting music fan’s collection.

Launching into ‘Til the Death of Rock n Roll’, the first of many songs from The Loyalties back catalogue, there’s manic grins aplenty as the years roll back. Tom n Rags clearly enjoy playing together with their banter filled comradery endearing to all. ‘Carry Me Home’ follows before Kit Swing saunters on stage to add some vocal angel dust to the Digressions ‘Heartbreakers Don’t Try’. It’s an early highlight. Tom n Rags - Sept 24 Delving into Tom’s back catalogue, The Yo-Yo’s ‘Home from Home’ is a welcome addition and makes my other half very happy. Never one to shy away from the opportunity to recount his past experiences, Rags introduces the excellent bar room swing of the Digressions ‘Scotty Thompson’ and persuades Kit to come back on stage to raise the song to a higher level. With a wry smile, Tom reminds us that a guitarist without a girlfriend is homeless and nicely segues into The Loyalties ‘Sofa Surfing UK’.

Role Models ‘This Eventually Leads Nowhere’ is three minutes of almost perfect power pop and generates one of the strongest singalongs of the night. It’s back to The Loyalties for ‘Jimmy Does’ and ‘The Will to Kill’. Craig and then Matty are invited back to the stage for a couple of songs with Johnny Thunders ‘King of the Gypsies’ being a rousing end to the proceedings. Tom n Rags - Sept 24
There’s no encore but there doesn’t need to be one – it’s been a fun night full with smiles all around. The atmosphere in the venue has been so relaxed and jovial, it’s been like a big family reunion. Roll on round three. Tom n Rags - Sept 24