Uncle John & Whitelock, McSorely's, 10/08/06

I had been looking foward to this gig since hearing about it last week. I got a copy of Uncle John & Whitelock's album, "There Is Nothing Else", at the start of the year, and immediately liked it. They play very abrasive rock, which reminded a friend last night of The Jesus Lizard.

However, as good as the album is, on the live circuit the band seemed to fall flat on their face. Flat is a good word to use, because that was exactly how they sounded last night. Empty also comes to mind, even great songs like "Hospital" didn't seem to go anywhere. This song is frantic and taut on the album, but live it was a serious letdown.

Admittedly, the frontman does have great charisma, looking like a cross between Suggs from Madness and Rik Mayall in the Young Ones. But that asides, they never had much else going for them. It might have been an off for the band, but with a new single to promote you would think they would come out with all guns blazing, instead of being lacklustre and lethargic.

Talking to a avid fan last night, he claimed that they were the best live band in Scotland. Well I'm sorry pal, you are sadly deluded!.