Tonight is a launch party for Royal Treatment Plant's album. I bought the CD yesterday in HMV Oxford Street. I tried to buy it in the shop previously known as the Virgin Megastore. They didn't have it so I didn't buy anything, although I had identified a couple of sale items and one new release that I would have bought.
I came across RTP when they played with Joana and the Wolf in a cellar in Clapham Junction. I was immediately impressed with their high energy show, bordering on the manic. Their album is really good and my only complaint is that it is rather short. This is not a lack of material, but a lack of cash. It may be short by modern standards, but what is there is really worth hearing. A couple of songs have been mixed by Mike Chapman who is probably most famous for his work with Blondie on Parallel Lines. In some ways you could imagine Blondie's eponymous first album transported to 2008 and maybe you'd get something like RTP's first album (and maybe not).
Tonight the gig at the Monkey Chews has a nice intimacy suitable for a record launch. Lynch Rider Lulu are supporting. I've been meaning to see them since I saw a solo acoustic set at Paradise. Although I wasn't blown away by the acoustic set, there was enough there for me to check out their myspace and discover that the full band was worth seeing. Indeed they were worth seeing. RTP playing a storming set to a steamy room full of enthusiastic fans. Fortunately I have taken up a good position early on. I wasn't really expecting much in the way of light; they aren't too bad, but being from the sides, the band cast shadows on each other.
It's a really good evening and this band should really be listened to, so check them out at www.myspace.com/royalreatmentplant and buy their cd or download.

There are several gigs on tonight, but the main alternatives are playing tomorrow and Saturday, so I will see them then. Madame Jojos has a nice stage and good lights. Strangely Axe Kid who I saw yesterday are playing again tonight. I have a feeling there must be some significance in the serendipity that has brought me to see Axe Kid again. So I treat them seriously photographically, which is easy in the good lights of Madame Jojos. They are visually exciting (vivid) and worth attention. I am not so convinced of the long-term merits of their music, but their live act is spirited and enjoyable.
The Royal Treatment Plant are launching a single tonight, although its only available for download so I doubt that I'll be spending any money (being of the cd generation I buy music on cds). They certainly have some good tunes and are a class act. The lead singer PP is quite manic with lots of head-shaking, which I always enjoy as a challenge photographically. Give them a listen, they are sort of jangly.
Although Madame Jojos doesn't do proper beer they do at least have a special offer on their mediocre bottles. So I can 'enjoy' a bottle of Stella for only £2 a go.Much better lighting than last night, which is what you'd expect from Madame Jojos.

Strangely Axe Kid are playing again.

I don't often venture South of the river, but I had heard that Project Orange had a nice atmosphere. More importantly Joana and the Wolf are playing two nights this weekend and I think I should make one of them. The Bullet bar, where they are playing on Sunday is always mediocre (although easy to get to). Things are slightly are slightly confused when JuJus gig on Sunday is re-arranged, but I decide to stick with my original plan to head south. Its actually a fairly easy drive and just a few doors down fronm the Clapham Grand. The Lights are rather odd, but just about enough for photos. Its a bit cost downstairs and if you're at the back I expect you can't see much, but I'm ok, I have my earplugs and stand pretty close to the speaker.
I'm here in time to catch Royal Treatment Plant who are lively with good tunes. I thought Joana and the Wolf might be rather cramped by the small location, but they adapt and it seems quite a big stage (bit of floor) as Joana fills it.