The Strange Boys, Barden’s Boudoir

It doesn’t really make sense that we, whilst everyone else dances, throws themselves and just generally has a good time, are stuck next to an incredibly intimate couple. Kiss, kiss, cuddle, kiss - elbow. They shove it aside, only makes us plunge it deeper between them in a desperate attempt to “make a hint”. This is all to no avail, as the gruesome twosome, who, it has to be stressed, are standing right at the front of the crowd, seem more preoccupied with one another than with the four Texan ‘Boys onstage. Bummer.

In fact it’s a real shame as the band are causing quite a reaction. As they glide through the best part of their album, seasoned with a couple new bits and bobs, a mini mosh pit forms at the very front of the audience. Let’s not forget that Barden’s is a true live venue: a venue that holds nothing back, ie. a venue with no big scary security guys to pick you up and throw you out the crowd for merely jumping. Nope, none of that. In fact as their set advances, so do the feet of all the young ladies near the stage. The Strange Boys eventually disappear behind the strange girls, dancing, some nearly grinding on the instruments, mic stands, etc.. The band, however, keep calm and carry on.

The lighting, the smells, the general mugginess of the room all add to the effect of the show. The ‘Boys sound fits the scene; twang and laze. Twist and shout. Wipe the sweat off your face and jig a little more. Frontman Ryan Sambol’s voice (howl?), deep and earnest, brings the swagger. The four guys put on a great gig, effortlessly. The Strange Boys have been compared to Black Lips countless times, and, on record, one can sometimes see why that would happen, but live, it’s a whole other vibe. While Black Lips are renowned for going mad onstage, the Strange Boys seem to leave it up to the crowd. A good thing, really. Without even a curse or a chucked can, the band succeed in transforming the Stoke Newington ‘Boudoir into a grimey blues speakeasy.

The new Rough Trade signing make their mark with their first London show, and so the newest must-see band has arrived.