After 2 nights of 'Big' gigs I decide to pop down to the little Buffalo Bar to see a band I don't know; i found them in my list of saved myspace addresses which suggests they may have some connection with someone else I know, maybe they were playing on the bill of a gig I didn't make; I've no idea really.
They have screamy female vocals of a type I often enjoy, although in this type of band the line between great and awful can be very thin. The venue is less red than last time I was here. This time it is pitch black. Presumably the bulb has gone in the red light (and that was the only light). Photography without flash looks impossible (just to give an idea how dark that is: I can take pictures by the light of a tv).
I am quite intrigued by the Resistance who dress in black 'uniforms' and project light from a DVD player onto them and the background. I think it is this band who are compared to Throbbing Gristle on their myspace. I can certainly see (well hear) a similarity. Although it is many years since I saw Throbbing Gristle in a squat on the Harrow Road. I remember it was winter and there wasn't any heating, I think there may have been no water. I suppose there must have been electricity as they weren't an accoustic type of band. Maybe the water had frozen. I don't remember anything about the show but I expect it was good in an intense and arty way. So were the Resistance. I think the Buffalo bar have water, they don't have proper beer, or even Guiness. After a pointed silence I choose an Australian red wine which is passable (Jacob's Creek) although a little fruity (shiraz) for my taste.
The band between The Resistance and the Real Sound feature a bass player who is distinctive and looks familiar. Eventually I decide that maybe he is part of Buddah Cakes, but maybe not. After catching the nightbus lastnight and the Victoria Line having stopped at 10, I'm beginning to get a bit edgy at the length of their set.
The Real Sound are on quickly and do a short set. There seems to be some sort of friction in the band. Louise, the singer makes several remarks which seem loaded. The are quite good and move around reasonably.  I might see them again, in a venue less poor than the Buffalo Bar.