I arrived at the back of a packed Green Door store for She Crazy’s single launch to catch the last couple of numbers from Kill Moon, who seem to be a very exciting proposition indeed. A female fronted four piece described invariably as ‘noise pop’ around the web – these guys were certainly making an impressive racket. Loud, distorted and angular but underpinned by memorable song-writing (an increasing rarity nowadays) I think Nirvana would be a good comparison, and not just because front-woman Izzy Bee Phillips seems to be sporting Kurt Cobain’s haircut from the Smells Like Teen Spirit video. There are a heap of other influences on display here too, as evidenced by some superb guitar playing and guitar sounds coming from lead guitarist Chris Ostler (I imagine bassist Tommy Taylor had some cool sounds too, but it was reduced to a bit of a sludge by the sound system). I’ll definitely be checking these guys out for a full set when I get the chance.
After taking a brief breath of fresh air outside I rush in to catch She Crazy take to the stage with a confident swagger and a musical proficiency you would not necessarily expect from one of Brighton’s most fun-loving bands. Being a party-band no longer means shonky and shambolic it seems, as these guys are tight, precise and punchy as hell playing catchy, exciting garage rock. They squeeze the most from a standard three piece rock band set-up, not by augmenting the sound with a laptop loaded with synths and loops or stuffing the stage with a million effects pedals, but by getting every member to sing – the choruses jump out at you and the harmonies are perfect!

Within a few numbers we’re treated to the single: ‘Get The Feelin’. It’s a fantastic track, but they could just as easily have released half of the songs from tonight’s set – suggesting these guys have the potential to go very far indeed if they catch the right break. After a few songs they entertain us even further as guitarist Dan Grace calls for a friend to “unleash the balls”: three giant inflatable balloons are thrown into the crowd, who enthusiastically start chucking them around the room. They only last for a song; popping off the ceiling, guitar strings and drummer Mike Wilton’s drum sticks (without missing a beat) and the room shares a collective chuckle at the inevitable ‘busting my balls’ line.

For their next trick the band share their hatred for the dinkiest of stringed instruments with the audience as bassist James Watts and guitarist Grace take a break in the set to duel with a pair of Ukulele’s until they have smashed them to smithereens! As the set continues audience members are invited up on stage to smash more Uke’s until the room is strewn with their wooden carcasses. I only have one criticism of the night – in my opinion the crowd was not crazy enough for She Crazy! Have Brighton crowds become too cool for the appreciative cheers and insane dance moves a band of this caliber deserves… or was it just too hot in there? Food for thought.

Terry Moore