Initially I saw Rival Eyes because Matt the guitarist goes out with Gems from Rubella, and I said I'd do a few pics of his new band. This turned out to be not too onerous as they were actually playing with Rubella and they were actually good. They are playing again tonight and I have come to see them in their own right. Gems and Noush from Rubella are also here and I am easily distracted during the other bands. The first band is odd. They have a beautiful violin player and a singer with a strong middle-eastern style voice. They also have a rapper, drummer and someone else. I think the individual parts were all good but i didn't find the combination particularly appealing. Noush perceptively suggests that they would make a good British entry for the Eurovision song contest (due to their diversity).
The next band are heavy metal without the leather, hair or grease. Someone (maybe Noush again) suggests that the singer wants to be Prince. I can't see any point in a heavy metal band who look suburban. They overrun.
Rival Eyes play a good set, although they nearly get upset when the soundman tries to shorten their set. Fortunately he relents and they do another song. I think the photos are ok although I may have been distracted by chatting to the girls of Rubella (and the beer).

Dilemmas tonight: I hearts are at Madame JoJos headlining and Ghostcat playing earlyish at the Water Rats. Rubella are playing their first gig of the year, in Hoxton Square. Its a new venue to me - Underbelly. At first I thought I should be able to see one of the other gigs depending when Rubella play, but Gemma's boyfriend is in a band who are also playing and I have said I will photograph their first gig. Rival Eyes arev flaying first and Rubella last, so I settle here for the evening.
On a typical night I don't pay much attention to more than 1 or 2 bands as once I've photographed a band I like to relax with a beer or go home. Sometimes it seems a bit rude, but one can only concentrate so long and processing pictures of random bands takes a long time. So photographing first and last bands of a bill is unusual and tonight I watch the two bands in between properly. I have come upon King of Conspiracy a couple of times and have a positive impression of them, but on neither occassion have I given them proper attention. Tonight I am impressed and even take some pictures.
Rival Eyes make a good impression on their first gig and they seem confident with good songs and movement, although Mat tells me afterwards that they were very nervous. I think they will get comparisons with Blondie because they rather remind me of Blondie and Aimee has a big mop of blonde hair. I had no idea what the band would be like when said I'd photograph them so its really good to find that they are worth seeing. Hopefully they will get some songs on myspace soon.
Rubella do a typically agressive punky set and are lovely to talk to before and afterwards.