Thursday 26/01/06 Protocol @ Glitz at Madame Jo-Jo’s

Riding on the wave of 80s drenched pop that The Killers et al started in 2004, Protocol have high hopes for making their mark on British music this year. They already have the devoted fans; a small army of whom descend on Madame Jo-Jo’s tonight, knowing every word and screaming their love for the band. The sight of the unassuming fans mixing with the mildly pretentious indie crowd ensures it’s an egalitarian club tonight.

In front of such an appreciative crowd it would have taken a truly shite performance to dampen the goodwill directed towards the stage. However, it’s clear why The Bravery came calling with a support slot last year - Protocol have the attributes to wow crowds a lot larger than Madame Jo-Jo’s can accommodate. John, in jeans so tight you wonder where he’s hidden it, makes a great frontman and most of the dancefloor, male or female, would probably rip his clothes off and ravage him on the stage then and there if they got the chance. An anorexic Simon Le Bon who wants to be Debbie Harry for a day, he’s got the presence to ensure the fans are eating out of his hand on the first note.

The rest of the band follow John’s lead and it’s nice to see a British band retain their sense of fun onstage – no moody introspective bullshit for this lot. The eighties influences are clear from first note to last. ‘Things I Do’ was so Duran Duran it hurt while B-side ‘Deborah’ sounded as if the band had met up with Brandon Flowers for an electro jam. The current single ‘Where’s my Pleasure’ has been knocking on the door of the top 20 and is greeted like the Second Coming by the crowd. Written after a day listening to Blondie’s greatest hits, it continues the Protocol style of choruses’ so catchy and simple that Disney could produce a video karaoke version for toddlers. 
The mass clap-a-long that had been threatening to break out all night finally appears for penultimate song, ‘She Breaks for Me’. The only thing that Protocol require to complete their revival of all things 80s is a Bratpack movie to soundtrack. And therein lies the problem with Protocol, they may perform their songs to an ecstatic reception from their fans but it’s impossible to say they contribute anything new to the soundscape of British music.

Despite this criticism, Protocol are a genuinely nice bunch of lads who quite happily mingle around the pissed/ecstatic/stalker fans while supping their post-gig tinnies. Judging by the mood of the crowd tonight their live reputation can only continue to grow.