Atomic stooges

The trio race out of the blocks with a grungy take on garage rock. The band label themselves as garage rock but that would do a disservice to their wide range of influences. From rockabilly riffs to hints of Brit pop, the band stretches far behind just one genre. A blues influenced number gives way to high-octane rock and roll. The next song is a bass led number, the instrument’s deep tones dominating and leading the song that has an instrumental breakdown as an interlude with surging bass, screaming guitar and windmilling arms of Kozue on drums.

The bass playing of Hikaru in particular is the standout of the set, with its warm bouncy tone contrasting with the drawling vocals and free-wheeling drums. The second last song mixes psychedelic and garage rock to mind bending effect, ending with a high guitar solo by vocalist Yoshigo. The finale sees the other two instruments get their own solos, as the set ends on a high-energy note. For a band that’s only two years old and counting, their live show showed plenty of maturity, not least in dealing with the initial technical difficulties. These guys are definitely one to keep any eye on over the next few years.