Reviewed on 7th March 2007.

The Little Blackhearts

Live at Cockpit on Friday, 23rd February 2007

When I arrived at The Cockpit for this evening's musical extravaganza, I was struck first of all by how quiet it was. By 8 pm the main room was barely half full and it stayed that way for the rest of the night - a shame regardless of who's playing but particularly unfortunate on a night such as this where the bands are playing rock and guitar based music that relies at least in part on audience participation. It's difficult to whip up an atmosphere in a half empty room.

First up were The High Chairs; I have no doubt that these are a talented bunch of guys but with the volume turned up so high I couldn't even hear myself think. Probably for the best as I mainly would have been thinking - why on earth is this so loud? The room's only half full and I can't tell on earth what you're saying. That said, the lead singer certainly was a snappy dresser and really looked the part in his dapper suit and I did enjoy their music - I'll pass judgement on the lyrics when I get to hear them...

The next band on stage were The Little Blackhearts. I thoroughly enjoyed the music these guys had to offer too, I do however have a couple of questions, both regarding the lead singer; in what way does having your hair covering your entire face benefit your guitar playing? And who gave him a microphone? Great songs but the voice just didn't really fit or particularly live up to the music in my opinion.

I had high hopes for the last band Mainline - they bounced onto the stage with bags of energy and launched into what would've been a great start to their set... if they'd had the chance to finish it. Unfortunately due to repeated and apparently unsolvable technical glitches they were forced to abandon their set after several attempts at continuing and everyone had to head home with heavy hearts.

www.myspace.com/thelittleblackhearts

Comments

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On 8th March 2007 at 07:57 Anonymous 5288 wrote...

Lame. Sorry, but you haven't even got the bands in the right order.
It took you a week to right that? And it only appears after Dave Sugden chases you for it? Does it even say anything about the music or are you rating the sound engineers control of a volume fader?
Perhaps if you were looking for free entry to a gig, and never really intended on submitting a review that it should have stayed that way.
Thanks for giving up your time to come down and pen a few words, and genuine thanks to Dave for sorting it all out.
Apologies to Mainline and the Little Black Hearts (who I thought sounded great by the way, but who am I to say?).
Roj

On 8th March 2007 at 18:11 Anonymous 5952 wrote...

This is definately a grim view of what was a great night, except for the power failure with the PA. Very unfortunate for Mainline which regardless put on a brilliant performance, as always. The volume should not reflect upon the bands performance's as this is down to the sound engineer. This is definately a pathetic review by someone who was obviously out for a night out on the beer rather than to concentrate on the bands on offer. How can you even write a review on three bands if you cannot even remember which bands were which. I advise that you take a pen and paper with you next time and take some notes.

From the start were The High Chairs, then the Little Blackhearts Then Mainline. Great perfomances were had by all three.

Ignore this review and get down to see all three bands and see for yourself that these are all bands with the ingredients to go far.

On 8th March 2007 at 20:43 Anonymous 6366 wrote...

What sort of reviewerare you,are you sure you where at the gig? first you got the bands in the wrong order which makes me think you spent too much time at the bar and not listening to the bands.The High Chairs came on first and they where bloody awesome [and the leed singer as short hair] as for nobody been there can I suggest you have your eyes tested.The band sold at lest 90 tickets,as for been too loud if its too loud your too old.Next on The Little Black Hearts thats one great rock band but there again I don't think you were there to see them.And lets face it if its rock you want its got be loud.Shame about the cock with the PR letting Main line down, but no doubt you where ready for bed by this time,get a life woman.

On 8th March 2007 at 21:33 Dave LMS wrote...

First comment is fair enough. But the rest just seems bandwagon immaturity, so please write something constructive or not at all.

The bands were advertised in the order that Rachel reviewed, so it is hardly surprising she tied band 1 to advertised band 1, and so on.

I can correct the band name issue. It's not the reviewer's fault that band order changed when it is unlikely she had seen any of the bands before the gig.

On 8th March 2007 at 21:37 Dave LMS wrote...

Band order now corrected, as per feedback.

On 8th March 2007 at 21:58 Anonymous 6367 wrote...

I must say it reads a hell of a lot better now you have edited it..Cos the singer has a great voice, short hair and these sort of gigs are usually loud..would be quite bab if they where quiet

On 8th March 2007 at 23:03 Anonymous 5567 wrote...

Thanks for sorting that Dave, and please all, lets not carried away with attacking somebody's opinion. It's quite right that these things should be constructive...

...so here it is...

I agree with the point made about the fact that this is a band review, and I can't see any stage where it talks about the music. What kind of music do these guys play? This doesn't tell an outsider anything at all. That is the only thing I would question, really.

I'm not one to complain, and at some time or other every musician is at the brunt of negative feedback, including myself (I still can't believe she didn't like the green velvet jacket!!), but what would have been nice is to have had some sort of comments on the performance to take on board, whether good or bad.

When I read a gig review in a magazine, I expect to learn a little something about the band, I think it's fair to say I couldn't from this.

The whole band name confusion didn't bother me too much, to be honest. In fact, I quite liked having long hair, even if it was only for half a day or so. Especially given the fact that I'm about two years away from losing it altogether and signing up to the toupee society.

Now can we all just sit back, booze up, and get along?

Love you all.
Dan International

On 9th March 2007 at 08:51 Anonymous 6368 wrote...

My 10 cents worth...

I play drums for the www.myspace.com/thelittleblackhearts.

I respect the reviewer's right to make an objective review, there's no point otherwise, but the review does seem a bit cobbled together.

On 9th March 2007 at 09:24 Anonymous 6369 wrote...

I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However I can't help but disagree with most of what the reviewer had to say. I was stood fairly near to the stage and failed to notice the hair of the Little Blackhearts singer getting in the way. Even if the said 'hair issues' had occured then it shouldn't detract from the fact that they played a blindingly enjoyable set and to say that he shouldn't have been given a microphone is just plain rude. Stating that the place was only half full is also rather unfair. Yeah, you didn't feel like a squashed sardine but there were definitely more people there than the review suggests. There was a really buzzing atmosphere and everone around me appeared to be having a really good time. No offence intended to the reviewer....like I said everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I just felt like expressing mine. Rant over!

On 9th March 2007 at 10:21 Anonymous 4187 wrote...

ermmmmm. i struggle to find a reason why this review was published. it says nothing to me.