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Not Advised, Jaimison and Kill The Arcade, live from The Voodoo Rooms.

I find myself in some shadowy space at the back of Bar Pure in Sunderland. The ‘Voodoo Rooms’ may be tucked away and secluded but the atmosphere is still quite literally buzzing. Lead singer, James Thomas, of Not Advised makes a joke about the ‘rock and roll skulls’ stencilled onto the walls and you know there are some real personalities in the place. The room isn’t full but even so it will soon feel it.

After a brief encounter with Lee, lead vocalist of Kill The Arcade, Organised-Sound has now been introduced to the promoters and we are in the midst of Not Advised’s set. I step a little closer to the stage and feel slightly mesmerised by the lead’s voice. It reminds me of one I’ve heard before, but with a little more edge, yet I still cannot put my finger on it. He insists his voice is not on form, but quite frankly I’d plead otherwise. The band blast out some ‘punktastic’ tunes and the crowd is ready for the night to begin.

Bands change and another group of equally attractive boys, Jaimison, head to the stage. What is it with musicians and good looks? Funny really, a room full of such handsome bands, and standing there I’m suddenly aware; I am actually one of around only 5 girls in the whole room. I might add in here, girls who didn’t turn up to this one, you missed out. Next time you get the chance, get in line pronto! A room full of male testosterone, loud music, and alcohol. You can be sure the night’s only going to get better.

Surprisingly, it’s actually Kill The Arcade themselves that get up in front of the stage, they become part of the fan base along with the rest of us. As Jaimison play, a slightly drunk Josh jokes with the crowd about the £2 trebles and how“some girl's boyfriend apparently just texted me, to say I’m getting done in when I get home. For seeing his girlfriend Sarah! I don’t even know a Sarah!” As everyone laughs, the bands joke out loud together on Josh’s tipsy state. You feel like you’re on looking or sided by some secret society. Everyone seems to know each other and quite obviously are joined through one particular link. This link is music. Personally I know no-one, other than fellow Organised-Sound girl Sarah, and yet we all somehow seem to be friends.

Jaimison hit us with ‘Alright Who Made You A Wizard’ and there is some serious foot tapping. The upbeat rhythms and addictive melodies, I later catch myself humming that evening on the drive home. Even with a lame mic stand, the band still wins us all over with a swing in their step.

Everyone is hyped as we wait for the equipment to be adjusted. Both Not Advised and Jaimison have all the members, again practically pressed up against the stage, eagerly waiting. And then, Kill The Arcade take over, and the energy goes up another level. From the first song right up until the last the atmosphere is electric. Lee Newell, our front man, gives us a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday Bermuda Triangle’ and I personally am hooked. With some tongue in cheek comments to the crowd, everyone has a smirk on their face. The music bursts out the ‘Voodoo Rooms’ and you kind of have to feel sorry for the local acoustic guy playing downstairs. The band is giving it large and Samuel Jackson, one of the guitarists’, plays half the set completely off the stage.

“Officer I got a call!” Previously I hadn’t even given this band much of a second thought, but I will definitely be dedicating more time to them from now on. You can’t help but move along to the drums, and the infectious lyrics and baselines that stick in your mind. Looking around the room you can clearly see the rest of the crowd feels the same. Those power chords hit your ears and you instantly want to hear more.

As Kill The Arcade were playing something caught my eye. The supporting bands sang along to every song and every single lyric. It’s refreshing to see people that a lot of us would admire lowering themselves to the same level as the fans, joining us in the centre of it. “Between the devil and the deep blue sea, my world falls around me” is shouted, and with a raised hand, this is a line everyone will remember and the bands seem to say with pride to their tour.

This cheeky band from Berkshire, definitely have gained a few more fans tonight. The British music scene most certainly has a storm brewing up for it here. With songs titled ‘There’s No Such Thing As A Healthy Competition’ tonight you know if there was such an event, the prize would definitely have been won.

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