Articles

The Birth Of Pub Goo

Venue: Barfly, Cambridge
Date: 5 October 2007

‘Pub Goo is the bastard offspring of Club Goo, Cambridge’s home of indie bands and disco dancing’, reads the website blurb, and it’s new home is The Graduate on Chesterton Road. Since the national chain, Barfly, took over the popular live music venue there’s been a refit and a paint-job. Some may have noticed the pub has gone through many colours recently but now it’s cakey chocolate-brown inside with a cream coating outside. I’m undecided to whether the chocolate is classy or murky. I’ve heard reports that on non-gig nights it’s all a bit gloomy but tonight it’s definitely making the joint look the part.

Downstairs the Church of Noise DJ’s are already warming up the decks but there’s not much activity. Most of the action is taking place upstairs where I spy that the mixing desk has been moved backwards to create a giant dance-floor. Unfortunately there’s no slope so those at the back have a rather restricted view but there are plenty of barstools to perch on. It’s a fight to claim the best spots as it’s filling up quick which is a promising sign. Tonight, we have three bands to watch and even when that’s finished it’s all about the DJ’s who play on ‘til the witching hour so at £5 (advance) it’s fine value for money.

First up is Puncture Repair Kit. There’s a pun in their name somewhere but it’s not needed as tonight the boy-girl combo are on form with their promising scrabble and stoat-inspired indie-pop. A quick change-over and we’re riding on Wave 67. Their sound is like a cross between the 70’s post-punk electronica of Joy Division, the 80’s pomp of Duran Duran and the current driving-indie rock of Kasabian. It’s all very rave-nation and certainly pushes the right nostalgia buttons. Heads nod knowingly and feet soon take up the beat. Yes, with a pub-price pint in my hand, a smile on my face and this retro pulsing lulling me back to those hedonistic salad days, things couldn’t be more perfect. Next up are Rosalita who are akin to what you’d get if you threw the Towers of London into a mangle. On stage are three slightly-differing versions of Russell Brand and none of them are as entertaining as the original. Still, the crowd are lapping it up so they must be doing something right.

There’s just enough time to squeeze in a few rounds of body-popping before we’re released breathless into the cold midnight air. Pub Goo has started off in style and things look bright for the future.

Venue link = Barfly Band links = Rosalita / Wave 67 / PRK DJ link = Church Of Noise

Article commissioned by Local Secrets.

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