The Rakes / Louis XIV / Five O'Clock Heroes @ The Wedgewood Rooms

Whilst it's a little early in their career to describe them as conquering heroes, The Rakes are definitely looking like band who know exactly what they're about. They've firmly found their own boozy, bookish niche amongst the current crop of promising debutante guitar bands.

With a lager-fuelled strut, Alan Donohoe and the boys are beginning to look comfortable with the thought that even more acclaim is yet to be bestowed upon them.

At the Wedgewood Rooms The Rakes were taut, tight and funfunfun. Dancing like a deranged muppet on speed having a photosensitive seizure, Alan provided witty repartee between songs for the sweaty, young crowd in the room.

With most songs coming in at under three minutes, there was never going to be any distracting guitar solo wankery. And the band have been clattering through this short, sharp set long enough now that it far exceeds the quality of their excellent debut album.

The Rakes - it has to be said - are a dish best savoured live, and the Wedgewood Rooms is the kind of bedsit-intimate venue they were built for. Or should that be vice versa?
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