Sunday 23/04/06 iForward Russia!, Every Move A Picture, The Scare @ 53 Degrees, Preston

Australians The Scare are glam rockers in the traditional sense, from their front man’s crazy New York Dolls hair, to the co-ordinated outfits. The Hallowe’en themed title of 'Bats! Bats! Bats!' sees the singer confronting the crowd head on the singer marches straight into the middle with a strut Mick Jagger would be proud of. The bizarrely titled '128 Degrees Farenheit in de-de-Death Valley' sends out a barrage of ear splitting sharp-edged riffs, when they reach 'If Choking Make A Scene' the crowd are edging forward for a closer look. They roll out a fine slice of high grade punk rock with 'Cigarettes and Birth Control' that sees them stomping around like Kevin the teenager and spitting at the crowd. 'Irony' and 'Cry! Junkie' sees the singer thrashing around like a man possessed by the spirit of Jim Morrison, gradually getting more and more sinister. Some serious arse wiggling goes one as they take shape throwing to a whole new level on 'Sand. Bones. Angels. Coins.' These scaremongers leave everyone battered and bruised and a little bit bewildered, just like a good punk band should.

The Gang of Four bass lines of San Francisco’s Every Move A Picture seem a little bit rock by numbers 'Mission Bell' failing to capture attention. They seem a little disheartened and 'Chemical Burns' seems lack lustre despite its danceable riffs. The Pacman style synths of 'On The Edge of Something Beautiful at 12am' have an eager poppy appeal that sees people prick up their ears and heads start to bob. The effect catches on with 'The Best Is On The Outside' 80's Depeche Mode stylings moving even more towards a retro sound. The southern America title 'Dixie' leads to expectations of bluegrass jangling that are the exact opposite of the intense, jerky basslines they deliver. Scenesters are notoriously hard to please, but 'Hey Outlaw's We Are Scientists style catchy bass lines gets them dancing. New single 'Signs Of Life', described by singer Messenger as "everything that’s wrong with the USA" sees Every Move the tightest and most assured they’ve been all night. ‘Signs’ is an effortlessly radio friendly hit, with a chorus that sticks. Every Moves classic riffage will surely find a place with current crop of guitar bands, where they go from there is anyone’s guess.

Opening with crowd favourite 'Thirteen' iForward Russia! are onto a flyer straight away, right up in the crowds faces with their blend of yelped vocals and relentless basslines. No-one quite knows the words, but no-one seems to care. There’s no let up with new song 'Fifteen Part Two' with the same twisted jerking guitar licks that have the crowd practically drooling. Tom twists around like a soul in torment, getting altogether a bit S&M with the microphone leads, at times looking severe danger of garroting himself.  Rob powers through the bass lines off 'Twelve' as Tom takes off on a mad rampage through the crowd, standing on chairs and bawling into peoples faces. 'Seventeen' is an altogether more epic affair with drawn out Mogwai style sections and shimmering guitars and Kate Bush style dance movements sees Tom move into a trance-like state.

Punctuated by slightly irritating Bis ‘Candy Pop’ style shouts from drummer Katie, 'One' is slightly more off-kilter and eccentric. 'Sixteen' starts almost like a duet, until it descends into heavier, disjointed drums and surrenders to a manic tangle of noise. The animal screams off 'Fifteen Part 1' sees the singer jerk like someone receiving shock treatment. Belting out lines like ‘crime it’s a fickle thing’ like a Morrissey being tortured he has the frighting look of a man on the edge. 'Eighteen' taken from forthcoming album ‘Give Me A Wall’ is gentle by their standards, with a seriously danceable element under the sinister synth noises. New single “Nine” sees Tom launch himself into the crowd on last time, dance round in circles bouncing over chairs, laughing as people sing right into his face. Rounding off with 'Eleven's hair metal screams, it hides a darkness that is truly heartbreaking.  They end on a full on rock out, but as the feedback fades no-one can hide their ear to ear grins, Forward Russia are getting through to people and they know it.