We’re in Camden for the launch of Rich Ragany’s excellent debut solo album ‘You Can Get Dark With Me’ but this being Camden, there’s a matinee gig over at the Dublin Castle featuring New York duo Frenchy and the Punk. The opportunity to see six bands in a day is too good to miss, so we head down to the Castle to see what’s going on.

For a Saturday afternoon, there is surprisingly a decent crowd in the Castle’s backroom eager to be entertained. Up first are Before Victoria, the regency grunge pop trio featuring comedian and journalist Marc Burrows. Last time I saw Marc was playing solo as a post pandemic all-dayer in Reading. Now playing with a full band, the songs are far noisier and aggressive in nature. As with Marc’s previous band, the legendary steampunks The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, the lyrics may reference historic issues, but they cleverly tie into the politics of today, the timely ‘Carry On Up The Chartists’ proving the point. Before Victoria Jun 24 The Head Hunters are a proto punk supergroup fronted by the ever versatile Jez Miller. I’ve seen Jez drumming with the aforementioned The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing and many, many times playing guitar with The DeRellas, but this is the first time seeing him take centre stage. Luckily he’s got an excellent band behind him with Brian James’ old rhythm section and King Adora’s Martyn Nelson on lead guitar. We are back to raw guttural rock n roll with the twin guitar attack of MC5 coupled with tumbling drums and basslines. The instrumental ‘The Theme’ is a suitably anthemic opening and debut single ‘Hour x Hour’ bodes well for the future. Throw in a cover of ‘Ain’t That A Shame’ and you have a thoroughly enjoyable set.

The Head Hunters Jun 24 I’d heard good things about Frenchy and the Punk and was not going to be disappointed. There’s no doubt that singer and percussionist Samantha Stephenson’s vocals are very much in the Siouxsie Sioux territory and that can never be a bad thing. Guitarist Scott Helland is responsible for making the wall of sound on stage and it fills every corner of the room. It’s a very theatrical performance with Samantha’s every touch of her cymbals being almost balletic. Frenchy and the Punk Jun 24 ‘Like in a Dream’ has a gorgeous guitar throughout, reminiscent of those in Ennio Morricone’s western masterpieces, that enhance the soaring vocals. New single ‘Hypnotized’ moves into a more dance orientated territory but retains another strong vocal and has an epic feel to it. The set is over all too quickly but the band have a new fan here and I look forward to the new album. Frenchy and the Punk Jun 24 Next up we’ve off to the Black Heart for the main event and we have a cracking lineup to celebrate Rags’ album launch.

Unbelievably Bournemouth based The Electric Shakes have been on the road for ten years now, but it shows in how tight the band are, producing primal garage rock of the highest order. With a denim clad look to match, the guitars are heavy, the basslines pulsate through your limbs and Steve Lynch’s vocals take you back to the smoke filled bars along Route 66 of the early 1970s. The Electric Shakes Jun 24
New EP ‘Ten Years in Overdrive’ is well worth a gander. Frenchy and the Punk Jun 24 Continental Lovers bring a touch of glam to the night with their energetic power pop and inhabit the territory formerly occupied by the likes of Great Last Dreamers. Short poppy songs with catchy fuzzy guitar hooks are the order of the day and it works. Singer Joe Maddox certainly looks the part with his red leopard skin shirt, crocked hat and bug eye sunglasses, that portrays an assured aura of decadence. Continental Lovers Jun 24
With songs such as fun as ‘Paraffin Lips’ and new single ‘Let’s Go Out Tonight’, the band deserve to get a lot more attention on the scene. Continental Lovers Jun 24 Rich Ragany is no stranger to the London scene having been in The Loyalties, The Role Models and most recently, Rich Ragany and the Digressions. With the Digressions, Rags produced a series of fantastic albums with ‘Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache’ being in my top 5 albums of 2021. The Digressions are no more but not one to rest on his laurels, Rich has released his first solo album and tonight is the launch party. Reviews for the album have been stellar continuing the praise attributed to his previous endeavours. Rich Ragany Jun 24 Tonight is a celebration of Rags’ career with a set list made up of songs from his previous bands and a handful from the new album. Joining him are Simon Maxwell on drums and former Role Models and current The Middlenight Men supremo Nick Hughes on bass. Rich Ragany Jun 24 With a wealth of material to cover we are treated to likes of the most welcome ‘This Eventually Leads Nowhere’, and ‘(I Broke My Back) Disappointing You’ from the Role Models back catalogue. Rags is on form tonight, ever the raconteur between songs, laying his heart on line. His transatlantic drawl and enthusiasm run throughout his vocal delivery in an endearing style that can’t help but make you smile.

Fellow Digression, Kit Swing is in the crowd and joins the band for a couple of numbers including ‘Heartbreakers Don’t Try’ (a highlight of many a Digressions gig). Kit’s vocals always add a bit of sparkle to Rags’ songs and it is good to hear those harmonies again. There’s a new album, so ‘Empty and Free’ plus ‘Sierra Bonita’ get an airing – two cracking songs that will surely become stapples in future sets. A spirited version of ‘Gypsy’ follows before the band leave the stage to Rags and an emotionally charged ‘Leave Tonight’. Rich Ragany Jun 24 Rich Ragany rarely disappoints live and tonight has been something special. All three bands have produced excellent sets demonstrating the quality of live acts travelling the grassroots circuit. A fitting end to an entertaining day in Camden. Rich Ragany Jun 24