Monday 12/02/07 Gym Class Heroes @ Islington Academy, London

It can be something of double-edged sword when a new band finds a mentor in an established name. Sure, you get attention from said stars fans by way of their name-dropping, and they may even sign you on their own record label. Remember Noel Gallaghers sponsorship of Proud Mary? Nodidnt think so. It doesnt always fail though; Fall Out Boy bassist and part time stripper Pete Wentz gave Panic! At The Disco the necessary means to take their emo circus global, and his patronage of Gym Class Heroes has given us a whole new genre to play with. Emo hip-hop anyone?

Labels are not something GCH frontman Travis McCoy adheres too though, he doesnt ****ing understand why we need them and just wants to have a ****ing good time. Were not easily offended at Gigwise, but despite declaring himself to be about as far from ****ing gangster as youll ever (yep, you guessed it) ****ing see, it is a bit like watching Goodfellas. The expletitives, together with some formulaic banter, needlessly slow the shows pace down more than once.

McCoys frantic rapping is crisp enough live, but ultimately fails to convey the upbeat lyrical wordplay present in these songs. The humorous subtexts of The Queen and I and MySpace homage New Friend Request are diluted by clichd rap histrionics and swaggering showmanship. Traviss desire to hear his own voice, during a song or otherwise, becomes tiresome and a contrived tale of teacher/pupil romance on Scandalous Scholastics truly wears thin.

Yet musically, GCH are really rather fantastic. Playing as a live band, in the manner of The Roots or the criminally underrated Rawdog, the sound is so much more intense and sharp. Their efforts at sampling are hit and miss; the inclusion of the guitar line from Franzs Take Me Out is particularly inspired. While a cover of Jermaine Stewarts We dont have to Take our Clothes Off, with the dont dropped, is cringe-worthy. They do have the tunes, they just need to get the mix of humour and sincerity right, and they may yet step out from under the emo kings shadow.