be your own PET @ The Bush Halls

The first gig of 2006, a perfect start for which the next eleven or so months will be eagerly awaited as to what happens and most importantly what other bands I will be seeing. The location of the gig was slightly shrouded in mystery. The address of the venue, Bush Halls, Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush immediately caught my attention. Consulting the AtoZ and pinpointing the exact location made me even more intrigued. The venue is situated on the Uxbridge Road, a few moments walk from Shepherds Bush Green and the tube station. The most perplexing aspect was that looking at the map in the AtoZ and identify that particular stretch of road, I couldn't for the life of me visual this gig venue. Having walked that stretch of road for many a year, to and from Loftus Road (the home of the greatest football team EVER!) I had NEVER seen this building. Probably because 1. I had never know it was there and 2. I had, previously, no reason to look for it. The only place that came to mind was a large(ish) building, painted white which stuck out like a sore thumb. But that, the last time I walked passed it was a Snooker hall (over hearing one of the other gig goers I found out that the Snooker Hall and closed down and subsequently turned into The Bush Halls). Walking down the Uxbridge Road I stumble onto what I though could be the only possible site for the gig and there it was. This large white painted building, which I could have sworn blind was a snooker hall, had in big bold black letters on the front of the building BUSH HALLS. "Well bugger me" I thought! I've walked passed this more times than I care to remember and never once realized it was gig venue.

Standing in a queue outside the venue, for what seem liked an eternity I waited patiently to go in. My feet started to freeze over as it was so cold. But eventually the queue moved forward and in we all went. Through the doors to the venue was a small(ish) corridor which lead to a foyer area. To the right was a small bar, which was already heaving with people ordering loads of booze and to the left a merchandise table which had memorabilia from all the bands. This however was currently unmanned. Passing this and through another set of doors was the hall, small in size and with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling this was a cozy, quaint little place. At the far end of the hall was a very tiny stage. Having found my bearings I headed back into the foyer and order a beer (to my disgust but not surprise all they sold was lager - SHIT!!! and they charged £3 for a can!) I then walked over the merchandise stand. A load of people had gathered and were milling around looking at t-shirts and Cd's. By this time time a guy was serving and I managed to bag a be your own PET t-shirt. Cost me £10 but I though what the hell! It was until later, much later that it dawned on me that the guy behind the stand was the drummer of be your own PET and I hadn't noticed. (They don't call me Brainless Seagoon for nothing you know!) Wholly crap! If only I had know! But the best was still to come! Waltzing back into the hall the first act was on. A guy called Jeffrey Novak. Jeff was from Nashville, Tennesse and you got the impression that he was good friends with the headliners (Brainless Seagoon to the rescue again!) He played a number of rock numbers, all his own material. His set up was an unusual one, sitting on a stool or chair I couldn't see exactly what it was, he played the electric guitar, whilst playing what I can only describe as a very fucked up drum kit! He had a single ride cymbal very closed to his right arm, which he held a drum-stick in. He simultaneously strummed the guitar strings, whilst hitting the ride cymbal at random intervals. From somewhere he was produced a sound akin to that of a snare drum being hit and he had a solitary kick pedal and pad, which he was banging away with all set. It was a weird set up but one that worked really well. Whilst looking around the venue during JN set I spotted, with my roving eye a young lady with brilliantly bright blonde hair. On closer inspection, to my amazement it was Jemina Pearl! Wholly shit man! She was standing not less than 10 feet away from me. This was surreal. I then noticed all the other members of BYOP next to her. Double wholly shit! I couldn't believe it! This was mental. The whole band were in the crowd listening to Jeffrey Novak

During sets I wander back into the foyer to grab another beer, (bloody lager I hate it! Give me a proper pint any day of the week!), I then noticed a fury of activity going on over at the merchandise stand. There signing autographs was Jemina Pearl! I immediately high-taileded it over and grabbed a pen from this bloke and asked for her autograph. She signed my T-shirt! RESULT!!!!!!!!! I thanked her and walked back into the hall with a big grin on my face! Next up on stage were Harrisons: Sheffield based four-tet Harrisons are from the nu-Yorkshire breed of bands - Milburn, Bromheads Jacket, Neon Plastix, Little Man Tate, The Long Blondes and Arctic Monkeys etc. They blasted away with guitar screaming track after track, giving it the typical north grit with every song! Latest single Blue Note was played with vigor and desire. A band to watch out for this year.

Next up were South London four piece Good Shoes. These lads took the short journey across town, over the Thames to be in the heart of the 'Bush! Another band in the mould of the scuzzy, scummy gutter-rock image, which has brought us some of the finest and most vivid images of the last few years. These boys rock hard and, even though I didn't catch any of their track titles, are surely one of the bands of 2006!

At roughly 10:20pm be your own PET came on stage. And wholly motherfucking good god! They were mental! With a team of psychiatric specialists on stand by! Jemina Pearl and co were in scintillating form! Jemina wore a white t-shirt which had the words "Party Down" and you had to see this to believe it but she went mad! Untying her hair, she spun, and shook and danced and leapt all over the place, the power and aggression that this band produces would probably be enough to send a rocket to the moon. Fast, hard, direct, indirect, brutal, aggressive and totally mind-blowing the band rattled through most of the songs from the debut album. I have to admit that I only know of a few songs which they sung, these being Damn Damn Leash, Fire Department, and the encore of Bunk Trunk Skunk. All the rest were a blend of high pitched raucous, hellfire brilliance! Somebody please roll forward the clock to March 27th when the debut album is released! I'm in need of a massive hit! (presumably current single Let's Get Sandy (Big Problem) was played, though as I've yet to hear I didn't recognize it!)

be your own PET were are and will always be one of the best NEW bands I've ever heard. And certainly 2006 is definitely going to be there year. The encore was just one song, but it was for me the best of the lot. Bunk Trunk Skunk was, is and will continue to be a piece of power-punk driven one and half minutes worth of sheer genius from BYOP. From the opening lyrics to the ending this was as mental as if gets and summed up the evening perfectly. Have to got see be your own PET again. Hope they play Reading this year!!