Koko 18/2/10

Koko is set in which we lay our scene, escaping from the downpour that had descended on North West London I found myself damp and persuasive in the warrens of the back stage. As it happens I had been left off the list, though this ended up working in my favor as a business card proved worthy currency for a triple A pass.

Touch.

The purpose of my visit was to interview the young, and exceptionally talented, Cosmo Jarvis but more on that another time. It was entertaining to say the least, that much I can impart now. Three bands were up last night though the first to take the stage weren’t anything to write anything to home about, a little mistimed and over enthusiastic, it made for adequate entertainment.

Cosmo took to boards around quarter past eight and leapt into a medley of songs and instruments almost immediately, his band are all friends and were previously incanted with Atlantic under their own banner until the sales didn’t clock up, pity they were tight. Cosmo is a polyglot in the truest form, he is a director, poet and musician in his spare time it seems.

Not that this holds any bearing on his output, he played five instruments through his set by my count, and seems to have mastered them all. An affable chap in showmanship, he introduced each track with little hints of connotation giving the audience a handle on his inspiration and meaning, which was nice. He also imparted some new tracks to us, which, again, is nice too.

Next to alight were The Sunshine Underground, a band that started making noise a few years ago, circa Rumble Strips though musically they are worlds apart. Obvious reference to Primal Scream and at times Placebo were rife. A powerful, frantic set that had their Fred Perry following moshing like no tomorrow. The modern mod is not adverse to a little rough stuff it seems.

All in all, well worth the journey. And the soaking.