Toby tells me O.Children are playing at the Macbeth after they have played here. I think I am too tired to consider going on there, although I expect it will be brilliant. They are good here, the atmosphere is nice. It isn’t really that packed but but the audience seem committed. Doe Face Lillian open the evening and the dancing of their enthusiastic girlfriends at the front, makes me feel grumpy for not liking the band more. They do have something and I am pleased to have seen them. I think they need to develop a little more before I will be dancing at the front.
I chat to Toby about the advantages of having a cool/beautiful audience (even if they are the band’s girlfriends), He says O.Children have one, but they don’t really get this far west. I am reassured and suspect they may be at the Macbeth tonight.
No Fiction who put on these free Friday nights in Kilburn seem to have some good taste. I have been here two weeks running and they have put on two top bands (who I already knew) and two interesting bands who are worth watching. If you should find yourself with nothing exciting to do on a Friday you could do a lot worse than heading for Powers bar in Kilburn.

I see many good bands every month, even every week. Sometimes I see someone who stands out amongst those special bands that I rush to see several nights a week. I saw O.Children at the Windmill a couple of weeks ago and was impressed. Tonight I turn up at the Social at 11 (on my way home from Camden) just as the previous band are finishing. I haven't been to the social before. My immediate impression is of a minute stage with a corridor like room in front of the stage. Overall it is a long narrow cellar. I suppose on a bad night it may draw comparisons with a sewer; I think you will have gathered that my first impressions of the venue are not entirely favourable and that I have some misgivings about what the gig might offer.
These are turned on their head when O.Children actually play. The venue which was previously pokey and cramped becomes intimate and exciting. The drummer is virtually sitting in front of the toilets, but this band transend their surroundings and I am drawn to comparisons with bands I saw many years ago in smallish venues, such as the Clash, Siouxsie, the Slits, the Specials and Madness. These were gigs where I didn't sleep when I got home due to the adrenaline; tonight I go to bed at 3

It's strange how  luck plays such a part in life. I don't normally get down to the Windmill in Brixton, although it's a pleasant venue who put on some good bands, it's just a bit far to get to. Normally I end up going to something north of the river. But tonight I have decided to see Clockwork 4, partly because I missed their gig earlier in the week. The Central line and Victoria line are closed so wherever I go is going to be tortuous unless I drive. Brixton is therefore a pretty good option as there is plenty of on-street parking around the venue. When I went out I thought I was just going to see Clockwork 4 who are a pleasant band and seem to have stopped changing their name. But it turned out to be a top bill with O.Children being really outstanding, and Plastic Passion were really outstanding until I saw O.Children.
Even the first band 'Successful Dating' had a freshness and charm, and I might have taken a few pictures of them if I hadn't arrived in the middle of their set.
O.children offer a melodic threatening sound which surely brings comparisons with Joy Division. They have heaps of style even if it did take the drummer for ever to set up (choosing his drumsticks appeared a slow ritual). Apparently they are also cosmopolitan with the guitarist from Bordeaux and vocalist from New York. On this showing I think they will go far.
Well done to the Little Stalkers who have arranged the event. Maybe I should venture south of the river more often.