Date: September 12th 2006

The Grates seem a simple band and the goal is fun, fun, fun. Patience Hodgson and co. not only have the infectious songs, but an attitude to match. There’s high stepping, high jumping, ribbon twirling, and a few dog howls – they’re as unique as fingerprints don’t you know? – to liven things up as if they weren’t lively enough already.

The floor shudders as a few brave souls follow Patience‘s spirited example and instead of standing stock still, which is the default position during an opening band, jump for all they’re worth during ‘Inside/Outside’. No one even minds being momentarily singled out and called ‘motherfucker’ to their face. Now that’s charm!

‘Feels Like Pain’ has a raw edge to it, and ’19-20-20′ pops with energy that is infectious. ‘Little People’ is a high success, there being plenty of them in the room. And instead of the usual cheerful manner that meets an announcement of ‘last song’, there are groans from the crowd: the locals like what they see and want more. Alas, it is not to be just yet, though evidently a headline tour wouldn’t go amiss.

Maybe gravity won’t get you high, but you’ll be dizzy and giddy by the end, your eyes and feet trying to keep up with the high-kick show.

Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.