Gene Loves Jezebel Astoria, London By Nicky Charlish

That's funny! A few seconds ago I was in Charing Cross Road. Now, I'm in Kensington Market! But, of course, there's a simple explanation. This band has brought out a gathering of the gothic faithful, and there are plenty of Morticia Addams lookalikes along with pale and interesting - well, pale - young men. 

But there's a good sprinkling of metal fans too, and that's a clue about what we are offered tonight. From their stateside sojourn, this band has picked up metal habits, so following the same well-worn path followed by the likes of the Cult. Luckily, these habits are okay! Numbers like "Jealous" have the vocal delivery and guitar work of standard LA burbon-fired bands, with Poison the main example that comes to mind. You can anticipate every chord, but you know that it's going to rise above the workmanlike. 

But it's when the stamp and sweat of the stadium is swapped for the joss-stick of enrapture that the band really delivers their best sound. "I Die For You' is spine-shivering, reminiscent of Killing Joke in their "Love Like Blood" days, while "Evening Star" is an atmospheric lounging for love. Nothing is spoilt by Jay Aston's vocals, which sound like a smooth but tortured Feargal Sharkey! A bizarre exception is "Why Can't I", where his voice resembles Charles Aznavour (!), and the opening notes have a French feel that puts you in mind of Alain Delon gangster movies - until everything is taken over the thumpy drumming and guitar chords that spiral off into infinity. 

This band has never explored the heart of darkness. They may dig glamour, but they certainly don't dig graves. Tonight, what you see is what you get. And tonight, seeing is believing. 
 
 

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