The Beat Surrender

It’s probably one of the hottest days of the year outside in what has apparently been the hottest July ever in this country and like an eejit I’m dragging my girlfriend along to go see The Rifles in the middle room of the Cockpit.

Now I’m an eejit on a number of levels it seems. The first thing is that as hot as it is outside it won’t be anything compared to the venue which is always sweltering in the middle of January never mind July. The second is that I’m taking her to see a band that despite liking the album they’ve just released, I’ve seen them before and they were very disappointing up at the Faversham.

I am however a bloke that believes in second chances so along we go for a few pre gig beers and then it’s into the venue. It’s not feeling too bad in the bar bit as you walk in so maybe I over estimated the heat….then we walk into the middle room and as soon as you get through the door it hits you. The On Offs are plying their trade in the support slot at the time and as promising as they are supposed to be we opt for comfort over music and retreat back to the main bar.

Ten minutes later and it’s time to brave the tropical conditions and see if The Rifles can make up for the last time I saw them. We find a spot next to the bar, which is an achievement in itself as we are all squashed in the room like sardines (why not open up the bigger room next door?) at least it offers rare moments of welcome colder air when they open the fridges to get out a drink.

The band saunter on and the singer has his trade mark pork pie hat, a quick hello and they whiz into their set. From the outset it’s a hundred times better than the Faversham gig, the band sound tight where they sounded loose before, the vocals are delivered with confidence and style and it’s an absolute spot on performance in what is a difficult venue.

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