Norwich Darkside - Shakeout, Fletch Cadillac, Judder aNd the Jackrabbits

Psychobilly/Punk night at the Marquee, Norwich, 16/06/06

This had to be the hottest day of the year so far and with the Marquee
reaching capacity sweat was litterally dripping from the ceiling. Even
before the bands started the bar staff were obviously hot and stressed.
Many people I spoke to said they'd never seen so many people squeezed into
the place.

When we arrived the DJ was playing a mixture of Garage Rock and some real
'old school' Psychobilly/Rockabilly classics and kept it up between each
bands set.

First band up were Judder And The Jackrabbits. I was told that this was
only their second gig but you couldn't tell. They put on a really wild
performance with the bass player dressed in a black mini-dress and singer
John screaming in a nurses dress. These guys should do well with the
current popularity of bands like The Grit, Horrorpops and Tiger Army in the
Psycho/Punk crossover market.

Fletch Cadillac play Horror Punk in a style similar to the Misfits. I had
seen them before but this was their first gig as a four piece with a second
guitar beefing up the sound. Great set and a great bunch of guys. They
played a good set but were I think hampered a couple of times by the sound
regulator - bloody useless thing. If you don't like noise then don't move
to a city centre!

Shakeout hadn't played for six or seven years but you wouldn't know it.
They blasted through a powerful Psychobilly set of mostly origionals but
threw in a couple of covers by the likes of Green Day and Peter And The
Test Tube Babies. The crowd loved it and during the first song one of the
PA speakers, a mike stand and several beer glasses were sent flying by the
'dancers'. The guitarist was wearing a full 1950's style suit and must have
been baking in the heat while the double bassist looked like he lost
several pints of fluid he was sweating so much.

All in all a great night of raucous fun and if you get the chance to see
any of these bands live they are all highly recomended. Whoever put the
bill together needs a good pat on the back.