Last December I travelled up to the slightly smaller Norwich Arts Centre venue in order to see Jesse James, The Hitchers and One Stop Earnest. While the former were expectantly a great live act, it was the latter, local band One Stop Earnest that really impressed me (The Hitchers being yet another Green Day tribute act). After not being able to get to the band's last Norwich gig, the anticipation before tonight's show was immense. Therefore, you can probably imagine my dismay when the vehicle I'm travelling in rolls over the top of a hill to reveal a line of cars as far as the eye can see. As it turns out, a fatal accident causes the closure of the A47 and all southbound traffic to be diverted through the centre of Norwich. After a twenty-minute cessation of emission-filled-irritation (made even more bearable by the summer heat), I finally sprint to the Waterfront to witness the second half of One Stop Earnest's set. It seems I'm not the only one that wanted to see the Yarmouth six piece, the pit being the most packed I have ever seen for an opener. The band launch straight back into 'By The Way' and 'Misunderstood', revealing a pop-suss that commits songs to memory immediately after hearing them. They also manage to start the first ever circle pit (though short lived and docile) I have ever witnessed at the Waterfront during 'Get Off The Train'. Without getting carried away, if these guys get out of Norfolk, I could quite easily see them reaching the heights of the likes of [spunge].

Next up are the ominously titled $'Up. The whole "book by it's cover" proverb is soon realised as the six piece pleasantly surprise all in attendance with a mix of ska tinged hardcore, a la' Five Knuckle. The likes of 'Critix' show a tendency for Capdown-esque sax solo's, heavy metal guitar licks and pop sensibilities that put the likes of the aforementioned [spunge] to shame. And with songs such as 'Spank My Monkey', it's clear $'Up aren't lacking in a sense of humour.

The same could be said for ever-gurning Captain Everything guitarist Eddie Van Halen (as he introduces himself as). The three piece's usual trademark melodies are lost through poor sound quality that seems to only blast out kick drums and fuzz. However, the band proceed to churn out pop-punk-ska gems from both recent album "It's Not Rocket Science" and previous "Learning To Play With", with 'Hey Lags, Nice Slacks' getting the biggest cheer. Finally, it's up to Jesse James to finish off the night with style. The self proclaimed 'Punk Soul Brothers' don't disappoint, debuting songs from their new album, recorded in non other than Fat Mike's Motor Studies. The band's return to these shores sees them showing off golden brown tans, dodgy shirts and bad hair, and although being reduced a five piece again, they still manage to whip up the crowd with between song banter. They also prove to be the most sing-a-long band of the night, with the likes of 'Empty Tank', 'My Favourite Shirt', 'Black Sheep Generator' and of course 'Shoes' being recited word for word back at them by the adoring masses. The band plays one more new song for an encore before leaving the crowd to dwell on another skarry, skarry summer night.

Reviewed by Simon Marsham