This gig was originally supposed to be at the Youth Centre but for reasons unknown to me, all the gigs booked for there have now been moved to the Backline Studios. This is a great little place perfect for a gig. It’s a lovely room, with carpet on the floor and a comfy couch, a nice sound and smack bang next to Guildford train station.

I’d been doing a First Aid exam that day and so got down to Guildford quite early – about quarter to six or so. I was greeted at the exit by Lloyd as expected but also by Mates and Kerry who apparently had been on the same train as me! Instead of going to the pub, which Lloyd claimed was shit and expensive, we opted to go to the offie then make our way down to the venue.

After much milling around and soundchecks etc it was almost time to let in the paying punters. Bob finally turned up about that time and we decided to go back to the off-licence for more booze!!

First band on was Jets vs Sharks featuring one Mr Joe Pies from Portsmouth :-) I honestly don’t remember all that much about them except they seemed to have a bit of a Hot Water Music influence. I was kind of surprised by that because I’d seen Joe in a band before and it was nothing like this as far as I can remember. Anyway, it wasn’t too bad all in all, if a little unmemorable. The beer never helps though.

I didn’t see All Star Reserves this time around. I’d seen this ex-Winner band before in Farnborough and although they were a hell of a lot better than their previous incarnation (surprisingly so, in fact) they still were nothing special. Next up were Twofold who were quite frankly rubbish the first time I saw them. I’m happy to say though that they’ve developed into one of the best live bands in the UK at the moment. Opening up with a newie that’s going to be on their split with Fig 4.0, this 4-piece with 4 singers never let up til the end. Twofold have quite a range of sounds from full-on screamy thrash to more melodic, intricate songs (the ones that I prefer to be honest). All 4 members give their all but it’s Lindsay that’s the one I watch the most as he flings himself and his guitar around the stage in a style not unlike Brendan Kelly from the Lawrence Arms. Twofold are a band that I can only see getting bigger and I wish them well.

Blocko came on and it was already getting pretty late and what happened next didn’t really help. Nij was doing his heavy metal hero thing in 365 and managed to break a string pretty much instantly. This meant 5 minutes of Lloyd pissing about while Nij fixed his guitar. I thought it was the second coming of Wat Tyler! After this, Lloyd should join Hard Skin as I reckon he’d fit in perfectly :-) Anyway, things eventually got started. I’ve actually been disappointed the last couple of times I’ve seen Blocko. Things seemed to be getting a bit stale when they played a new song and it was very familiar sounding even though I’d never heard it before. You know... THAT sound. I was aching for something different. The second time was at the Goldsmith’s in New Cross – I think my failure to enjoy it was more due to my state of mind that though I think. Happily, Friday night was a blinding return to form. Like Twofold, Blocko have become a force to be reckoned with in the UK and I look forward to the day they release a full-lengther. Honestly though, they really needed to miss out more songs due to the fuck-up at the start as nearly everyone had to leave for their trains by the time poor Joe Ninety got to play... It was a shame I had to miss seeing them on this occasion but I knew I’d get another chance this weekend...

Overall, a fun night and it’s not often I can say that without exception anymore. Great music and back in London in time to get the last tube to Brixton.

--Chris