Live Review: Royston Vasie, Cabins, The Jones Rival

The photographic honour roll that adorns the wall of Brighton Up Bar features several local rock gods of the future - including the lads from The Jones Rival. Their brand of garagenalia is part '70s surf rock and part '90s Oz rock. The difference in vocalists meant My Aim delivered the best shock of the night, with bari-Bowie vox over an awesome bass lick. Closing with the latest single, Jumpin' Frog, the crowd were left moist and panting.

Cabins stepped into their set without much fuss. Their stompy rock was darker than TJR's, offering a visceral, Tarantino vibe. The incessant bass and drums were haunted by twanging piques of guitar and moulded by the thick gruff tones of Dan Brooks on drums. The lads have grown in the two years since Bright Victory, with a Drones-esque seriousness. They intro'd the latest single, In Blue, as “a sort of waltz” but really it was an anomaly in their set, providing sweet reprieve and an excuse for a cuddle. They've been on the road since 2010, but fingers crossed the run of new singles means an album is soon to follow.

Royston Vasie are fucking amazing. There really is no other way to describe the way they distil their influences to invoke, incite and ignite a crowd. On the road in support of their long-awaited debut album, Tanah Merah, the songs are teenagers, old enough to be familiar without being stale. You Want It Now and All The Little People both had the crowd dancing with abandon, as their blend of do's and oh's brought their pop rock strengths to the fore. Known for their strong bass-led rock style, the balance is remarkable with none of the guitars superfluous, none of the songs filler and none of the ridiculous amount of amps unwarranted in the small band room. The noodling psych jams were tight, and the dual vocalists listed between a crooning Tim Rogers and a manic Craig Nicholls. The band build, stretch and release chord progressions with ease, sucking you into a popclysmic night of head bobbing, shoulder dancing and swaying. Come On closed out the night with additional tambourine and bell-bottomed dancer invading the stage to celebrate the show. A riff and lick love-in.