Brakes’ absurd, skittish rock first came onto the radar as we were wallowing in the mud of Glastonbury ‘07.

The Brighton based band’s eccentric one minute burst of ‘Porcupine or Pineapple’, the twelve seconds of ‘Cheney’ and the unforgettable ‘Chicken or an Egg’ all find place in a set that sometimes resembled a bit of a comedy sketch. They swerve through country rock, alt.rock, and uppity punk rhythms; the brash repetitions of ‘Hey Hey’ soar out of control into ‘Don’t Take Me To Space (Man)’.

The wit and humour is there: to Eamon Hamilton’s breathless performance Tom White adds his feisty hooks. What’s apparent is that Brakes still look like humble country folk who have been coaxed onstage at a barn dance. It’s the same image they have nurtured since first coming to prominence, and as the sweat cascades from their brows their feet don’t hit the brakes all night. It’s loud and hysterical, even if it did end a bit too soon.

Ash Meikle
Photo: londontourpix