A secret late-night gig in Hackney. Enjoyed a boisterous performance from Bolt Action Five. Will go and see them again.

Smatka performed astirring set which was much appreciated by a rapturous crowd (and me!).

A very special evening in the heart of Soho, in this freindly venue called "Pop" where the mighty Smatka were doing a last minute gig. Smatka appeared from the crowd, one hand on hip, cane in the other, her back to the audience, taping in rhythm to her intro. Today no keyboards, but only glam bass and drums.

Then she turned around and offered us her best act, innocent and powerful face, with articulate, confident and complex vocals. Her dark blue and red buttoned corset hit us in the eye when she removed her jacket.

Mingling with the audience; a naughty wink to some of them, who reacted by dancing on the spot. She then sat on the sofa's arms amongst her fans, once again showing her complicity, before ending back on stage.

A short set captivating and wanting more, but it had to end there as more bands had to follow.

The main act of the evening, Gene Serene, a German Electro-Punk band, expected to be with several people, was in fact a solo artist, singing both spontaneously and practiced to a laptop's backing track. She was a friend of Smatka, a very special lady who was confident true, slightly mad but warming.

More rushed clothes from O-F as Smatka asked us for an outfit on the friday before, and we only met on the monday to get the fabric (expensive fabric in Bricklane with a dodgy shopkeeper, a shop good enough for a horror film, stalks of fabric leaving room only for 1 man to pass in this long corridor of fabric rolls and high...Brrrr....Never again.)
The outfit was made on the tuesday and finished on the wednesday, composed of a pair of lined trousers with assorted tie and braces with bows.
We were looking forward to seeing her play live on that friday...
She was fantastic and all made up, the audience was very up for it and people were even dancing! (very rare in london Venues)

The fire eater started the show and Smatka played for over a half hour and finished on a great note...

The big pub in North London was rather full and a queue to get in had formed at the front door, and everyone that night who had recommended Smatka originally was there, from Mab to Susan Acid.
Smatka herself said a warm welcome before getting on stage.

,As she was going to get on, a person waving a flame in his hand went to light up the stage, (good idea), but a Smatka novice didnt know what was going to come,oh smacking when he started to do fire spitting! Amazing andblew a few off their showsofftheir shows.
Smatka after this aparition started on a slow beat, a cane in her hand, and went on to do what was an amazing show, really really didn't expect to be blown out like this, she had such an amazing stage presence, like a cartoon character coming out of a fantasy film.

Her voice is amazingly controlled and beautiful,very flexible, and herself also stripped off her trousers to reveal her Y front pants and finished the show standing on the bass drum.
Not to forget the rest of the band who were also flamboyant with new keyboard player , bass and drums.
An excellent gig, more please....

We have been looking forward to seeing Smatka after good reports and enjoying their tracks on the web. 93 Feet East is a nice size venue. The lighting person unfortunately not only had no skill at lighting, but had the attention span of aturkey (apparently they have notoriously short attention spans). Even whenasked by the band to "turn on some lights" visability only lasted for 2 minutes. This was a pity as the band had made an effort to dress up for the show. So (you will have guessed) I was a little dissapointed with the pictures. But otherwise a good band worth seeing . Check them out on myspace.

First band of the night were the Swankers, who performed a punky set which was fresh and rather fun. They also performed in pitch darkness...