AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD/ ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT/ THE STROKES/ PEACHES
London Astoria 3rd February 2001

Although there were a few good bands playing during the week of NME Awards shows at the Astoria (Kings of Convenience, At the Drive-In, Elbow) this was the most consistent line-up on paper. It didn't disappoint either, despite the unfriendly start time of 6pm and the curfew at 10.30 so the separate club night could start. Still, that's London for you.
By the time I arrive Peaches is halfway through her short set, and although it's just her ranting over a few loops and backing tapes she certainly knows how to perform. Her stage gear (pink PVC shorts, cheap sunglasses) and afro hair make her hard to ignore, as do songs like 'Lovertits'. She probably annoys as many people as she wins over, but then that's part of her appeal.
Next up is the Strokes who are something of a revelation. Hailing from NYC, they're unashamedly retro, harking back to the New York punk of the late 70s. They even look a bit like Television - two of them with scruffy afros, one wearing a skinny tie and leather jacket, the singer in a suit. The open with 'The Modern Age', which may owe a huge debt to Velvets circa 'Rock n Roll' and the aforementioned Television, but for my money it's the best single of this year so far. They continue in a similar vein, showing a poppier edge which hints at prime Blondie or late 70s power-pop acts like the Nerves. I find myself thinking that this is the sort of band a major label could really make a mess of, one wrong turn and they'll be in Katrina and the Waves territory, but hopefully that won't happen! Hugely promising.
Clearly a lot of people have come here to witness the return of Rocket from the Crypt, who are playing their first British shows for over two years. I'm not a huge fan of this lot, but they're really on form tonight, playing a lot of their best songs (a fab 'Born in 69' is the second song) and they really know how to get the audience on their side. For that reason alone, they're a hard act to follow.
Sure enough, it takes the Trail of Dead a while to get into their stride. Opener 'Mark David Chapman' seems unusually sluggish, as if they're intimidated by the big venue. 'Mistakes and Regrets' picks up the pace, but then things take a turn for the worse as one of the guitar amps packs up and they improvise for a while until it is replaced. You can sense first-time Trail of Dead gig goers thinking "But you told me they were GOOD live!". Thankfully it improves considerably. Some impressive new songs are given a debut and they start to gel really well on material like 'Aged Dolls' and a particularly manic 'Totally Natural'. They manage to lose a guitar to the over eager audience (!) and most of the band get over the security barriers at various points. After a nod to their influences with a Minor Threat cover, a mighty closing song and a trashing of their instruments - all of the drums are kicked over and end up in the crowd!- they've gone. No encore due to lack of equipment but another great gig. Like I said last year, they still need a few more great songs to be truly brilliant, but they're getting better all the time. Worthy headliners after all. (8/10)

Tonight has a dual function as a secret warm up for the Dead's Reading/ Leeds festival appearances, and also as part of a run up to the Kerrang awards. Fortunately the audience isn't entirely made up of music industry types, as a few fans have managed to get their hands on the scarce tickets. As if to prove that this isn't just a showcase, AYWKUBTTOD make the most of this 150 capacity venue by leaping into the audience at every opportunity, climbing up the PA, and generally playing some impressive high-octane punk rock. You always knew it was going to end in a riot, and true enough at the end of their mighty 70 minute set a lot of the equipment has fallen off the stage and the drummer has to go and get stitches in his hand! In between the chaos we get material from both their albums, with the songs from 'Madonna' going down best. 'Blight Takes All' is really powerful, 'Mistakes and Regrets' and 'Mark David Chapman' are post-punk classics in the vein of late 80s Sonic Youth, and the haunting 'Clair De Lune' provides a welcome breather for everyone. They may not live up to the hype of the best rock band in the world, but they are certainly worth seeing live. Imagine prime Sonic Youth with Pete Townsend and Keith Moon joining in and you've got some idea of the windmilling arms and flailing drums that are part of the spectacle. If their next release carries on in this vein they will be major contenders. Until then, they are umissable live entertainment. (9/10)