Straight Razor Angels @ Penelopes, Sheffield

This isn't really a review of these guys as intend to do one next month but I couldn't let this gig pass without at least giving them a mention.

I first heard of over a year ago via mate who'd seen them and let me hear the CD. Duly impressed I bought my own copy of their eponymous first album from the website (see below). From that point on, except for an all too brief set at West Street Live, my efforts to get to see these guys were constantly scuppered by work commitments or other such trivia.

Anyhow, on to Penelopes. Now don't get me wrong, I think this is a good little venue but it was bloody freezing in there and there's a distinct lack of draught beers at the bar, just lager and cider. On the plus side the draught Magners was spot on and after a couple of those I spotted the bottles of Fursty Ferret and all was well with the world. The layout of the venue is good with a dance floor in front of the stage with tables and seating to one side and a pool table up out of the way near the bar.

As support Black Cat White Cat hit the stage the place was still lacking in bodies with only a couple more drifting in before Straight Razor Angels fired up. I still can't believe a band of this calibre didn't pull a bigger crowd.

We all soon warmed up as this excellent three piece band hit us with some mighty fine rock 'n' roll with plenty of familiar material from the first album including my favourites "Don't Need You" and "On The Pull" and generous helpings from the new one. A particularly good rocking cover of Johnny Horton's "I'm Coming Home" went down really well. We even managed to get an extra song from the guys before they finished a great set thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Straight Razor Angels next Sheffield gig is Greystones on March 16th. For a full list of gig dates, more info and to buy the CD go to SRA Official Website and follow them on Facebook

If you wanna know what they sound like, watch the video for "On The Pull" right here.....