Jakil, The Starlets and Odeon Beat Club

A Sort of Homecoming (Album Launch)
When I heard that two T in The Park veterans (Odeon Beatclub and The Starlets) were playing on the same bill I cancelled my plans to wash my hair on Sunday night and headed to Nice N Sleazy. Though when I read that they were launching a “Best of New Scottish Music” compilation, I do admit to checking the date to make sure that it was 2009 and not 1999!

Paul Tierney’s (Odeon Beatclub) vocals were delivered with his trademark side on matadorial stance, which remind me of a young Johnny Cash, although I couldn’t decide whether it was because he was having a Mexican standoff with JP’s dazzling white shoes. Odeon Beatclub charged through a setlist of favourites like “The New Kate Moss” and the Coral-esque “How To Kill A Man” as well as debuting a new song.

It was a particular treat to see The Starlets, since statistically you are more likely to catch them playing in Tokyo these days than in their native Glasgow. It was also nice to see that Biff Smith has lost none of his charm (not to mention his Tintin boyish looks). Their set was laced with observations about the dreaded Cumbernauld underpass, a Spaghetti Westerns soundtrack and a Polka (yes, a Polka). With a brass and string section and a mandolin player (borrowed from The Hidden Masters), you are unlikely to see a more eclectic band anywhere.

Finally onto Jakil, a group of young upstarts from Edinburgh who I knew absolutely nothing about before tonight. Despite initial reservations due to their mass appeal to the pretty young female demographic (although I am prepared to put petty jealousy to one side), the new kids on the block subsequently won me over and proved worthy headliners. They have the swagger of McFly and the same carefully crafted pop tunes... while managing to stay on the right side of cheesy. Highlights included “Spin”, “Fool Stop” and “Tendertraps” and when they sang “OK I’m Ready”, you could not help but thinking that they were talking about ‘the big time’ and on the evidence of tonight it would be hard to argue with them.