The Broken Family Band – Live at London Water Rats 6th Jan 2006

Fonda 500 were supposed to be supporting tonight, but that plan is scuppered by singer Simon's gammy eye. Instead, we're privy to the pleasure of two full Broken Family Band sets – one nominally quiet, one definitely loud – sandwiching Beatnik Filmstars' (if not triumphant then certainly compelling) first show since 1998. BFB singer Stephen Adams looks a bit like Chris Evans and will almost certainly call me a cunt for saying so. He's also, coincidentally, a funny bastard: “if you're here with your girlfriend and things are a bit rocky, this ought to clinch it”, he says cheerily before 'Devil In The Detail'. BFB are to country what The Pogues are to ceilidh – noisier, darkerer, drunker and funner too. Yee-haw.

Charlie Ivens