Janus Stark/Midwich Cuckoos/Top Left Club/All Fall Down
Voodoo Lounge, Stamford – 17/9/2022
It’s great to be back in the fantastic Voodoo Lounge again. As ever the sound in this compact venue is spot on as All Fall Down open up the evening with their breezy hard edged take on pop punk. Melody is key with this outfit who wisely keep the banter to a minimum and let the music do the talking.
The vibrantly clad Top Left Club are clearly keen to provide something a little left field by taking punk into a surreal 90s direction. The heavily synthed vocals are amusing, but maybe a tad overdone. Behind all the (very welcome) showmanship is a band that have some strong song writing skills and a sense of fun. It’s all very tongue in cheek, and above all entertaining.
Midwich Cuckoos are a woman down tonight with Lesley, one of their posse of six stringers, missing in action. Undeterred the Londoners put on a fine show of cross over alt rock/punk/insert many other genres here! Tanzy Velayne nails vocal duties while the rest of the band are each given time to shine as individuals too. It’s the high quality of the musicianship, the writing, and the way the songs are arranged that sets this band apart from most others.
Reformed in 2018 Janus Stark are celebrating around a quarter of a century of music making. Led by Gizz Butt they have that confidence and easy stage manner you get only from seasoned performers. At home on any stage they put in a very strong shift in the Voodoo Lounge. The trademark mix of hard rock, punk and metal means the songs are broad in style yet retain the ‘Stark’ sound courtesy of Butt’s song writing skills. It’s a treat to be able to watch an act of this stature in such an intimate venue. If you get the opportunity this is a band you need to see.
Review and photos by Gary Trueman