The Jetsonics - Live at The Fiddler's Elbow London July 08th

The Jetsonics (Sam Day, Dave Lombardi & Adam Donovan) - Photo by Steve Worrall

It was up to London again to catch The Jetsonics playing at the excellent Fiddler's Elbow in Chalk Farm, this is the second time I've seen bands play here and it's already becoming a favourite venue. It's a good old-fashioned and unpretentious boozer that seems well run with a great sound.

Adam Donovan of The Jetsonics - Photo by Steve Worrall

The Jetsonics' first number tonight is "90 Miles Down 88 To Go", which starts off with a catchy bass run from Adam Donovan. It's a light-hearted ode to the good old Rock'n'Roll road trip, name-checking such well known musical landmarks as "Bagshot, Dover and Salisbury", and features a blistering solo from guitarist and singer Sam Day.

Sam Day of The Jetsonics - Photo by Steve Worrall

"Never Meet Your Heroes" is next and then it's the superb "Burn Burn Burn" from the band's recent "Mustard" E.P. (reviewed here previously) which has a great chorus. "Everybody's Telling Me" has some catchy "whoah-oh" backing vocals from Adam and then it's into two new songs first of which is "1977 Again".

Next new one is "On Your Case" which is probably my highlight of the show, it's a slightly slower number and rolls along on a swaying rhythm guitar line. This leads nicely into Adam's excellent reggae bass-line intro to "Somewhere Else", a song which acts as a spotlight on drummer Dave Lombardi who plays reggae exceptionally well. Then it's foot back on the gas for "7 Foot Drop" and the live highlight "Amazing" before rounding off the set with the rousing "Caterham Blues".

The Jetsonics (Sam Day, Dave Lombardi & Adam Donovan) - Photo by Steve Worrall

The Jetsonics have all the ingredients of a classic three-piece power pop band, specializing in short three and a half minute blasts of guitar riffs and singalong choruses. There are hints of early 80's Power Pop but it's tinged with some Glam Rock and New Wave and they have the sense of fun that you would asscociate with a band like Supergrass. However, it's quite difficult to compare them with anyone else around at the moment, which is a good thing of course.

Hopefully the band will soon record some songs for a new E.P. and judging on the new songs played tonight it'll certainly be something worth looking out for.