373 DAWN OF THE REPLICANTS, Formula One, Cheltenham The Axiom, Wednesday 13 May 1998

Left late for this one - 8 pm - as this is a late gig, apparently, even on a Wednesday night! Had a drink with the boys in the well-appointed courtyard outside this venue, before venturing in at 9.45 for first band on, Formula One. Their formula was a Stereolabbish love of metronomic rhythm, with a heightened ear for strumalong tunes. The final cacophonous number also harked back to the unorthodox song structures of the likes of Wonky Alice (!). In F1 terms, not podium finishers, but likely to get a few points here and there. Maybe they should tap up Jackie Stewart, as he needs a driver for his team...

The Replicants came on at a very user-unfriendly 11 (d'oh!); a very odd looking bunch, accentuated by the vocalist's silver lab jacket and WW1 linen flying helmet. They played the most intriguing, unorthodox and downright weird set - sorry, show! - I've seen or am likely to see this year. Showing it is possible to push the boundaries of rock music without losing sight of good tunes and absorbing melody, their set, based mainly on their puzzling but fine "One Head, Two Arms, Two Legs" CD, was oblique and mightily good, with "Lisa Box", nevertheless their most orthodox and rocking number, the highlight. Comparisons? Well, the vocalist matches such as Isobel Drugstore for unusual attention-grabbing stage presence, but the music? Hmmm... the best I was able to come up with was an indie/grunge Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band!

453 PLUTO MONKEY, JACK DRAG, The Wardrobe, London Kentish Town Bull & Gate, Monday 24 July 2000

Did a bit of research for this one, after I found out that Boston's Jack Drag, a band we nearly went to see in Beantown in May (their TT's show clashed unfortunately with American Hi-Fi!) were following up their recent UK single with a debut UK date. In other words, I phoned Boston rock oracle James Horrigan, an old friend of JD mainman John Dragonetti, for the lowdown on the current Jack Drag incarnation!

Thus armed, the Swindon branch of BRAS (Boston Rock Appreciation Society, sadly!), i.e. Rachel and myself, hit the capital at 7.30 and after a couple of games of pool, arrived at the venue, a new one for me but virtually next door to old stamping ground The Forum, at 8.15. I made myself known to John in the bar, who was incredulous about having Horrigan and Valauskas namechecked by a Brit! We chatted about Boston rock, and he introduced us to his girlfriend, who turned out to be none other than Blake Hazard, smiling support star of gig 447 in May! So we completely missed first act The Wardrobe. Never mind.

Jack Drag themselves took the stage at 9.30. The current incarnation reflect the more introspective, less fuzz-rock mood of their current material, with vocalist and serious axe hero John being backed up by keyboardist Evelyn, some drum tape loops, and... er, that's it! The set crept in politely, with slow-fi folky pastoral shapes reminiscent of Kraus' lot Jr. Corduroy, but powered up assuredly and steadily. I'd been led by James to expect a shrinking violet onstage, but John was a confident performer on good form. "Crazy" built like a Sheila Divine number, all sturm und drang and unascended crescendos, and single "At The Symphony" provided a libidinous rhythm to really let John cut loose on the guitar. Throughout, however, the set was nothing if not emotive, the songs heading straight for the gut and scoring every time. Another fine Boston rock set, but hey, did we really expect otherwise?

Quick compliments with John after the set, which was rewarded by a gift of one of Drag-mate Evan Dando's old guitar picks! We then headed back into the venue for Pluto Monkey, offshoot of Dawn Of The Replicants and fronted by their barmy mainman Paul Vickers. the wild-haired Vickers, a man never even remotely acquainted with his own chuff, was as mad as ever, assuring us that the fire exits will be adequate in the event of a fire, "but you never know where a fire is likely to start!"; informing us that DOTR were actually all killed in a, "strange boating accident in Keever Canyon!!" and arguing with his back-up guitarist as to who was the first stigmata (!). Musically, they were shambling and untogether like very early Fall, but entertaining all the same. Didn't buy the CD on offer, though! We left following another chat with John - another Boston buddy in the making!

581 DAWN OF THE REPLICANTS, Oxford Zodiac Downstairs, Friday 22 November 2002

Though I knew it not at the time, this would be my last gig for nearly 4 months thanks to a brush with death from my pancreatitis. Oh yes. Shame I had to sign off with a disappointing one. But never mind... Drove Ady and a slightly half-cut Rachel (out on a works "do" this afternoon) to the Zodiac, spending ages trying to park and being delayed to the point that when we hit the venue at 9.10, DOTR were already on!

Paul Vickers, the weird and wonderful mad scientist of post-Beefheart Scottish rock tomfoolery, was in good fooling tonight as ever; if he ever gave up this music malarkey, surely a career in stand up awaits. However, the new material - "Rockerfeller Center" apart - is not a patch on the crazy yet occasionally approaching genius stuff of old, and the new band were messy and disjointed. A funny run-through of country classic "Rhinestone Cowboy" and a welcome oldie, "Cocaine On The Catwalk" as closer, were the best of a disappointing bunch. Home before 11 as well...