Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

I can see why both bands get along so well, all great people and so musically compatible. Itchy Teeth are a band I’d never seen before and had only heard of from the Girls’ recommendation. I was very impressed and loved them too. They look and sound the part, very ’60s British guitar pop vibe, a Beatles guitar strap and, to be honest, they had already won me over in the soundcheck by including a bar from Spinal Tap’s Gimme Some Money!

Their forthcoming single Going Up to Mars was rapturously well received and for me other highlights were a song called (I think) Time Machine – and I totally understand why they penned that one – and their penultimate Helter Skelter-esque song which segued into R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Great band, great crowd. Lovely jangly guitars, melodies and harmonies. Can you imagine how amazing it would be to see them at a Jug Jaw’s Beat Club night at The Crypt? I must speak to Chris and Steph 🙂

They were joined for one or two numbers by Luc, also guesting for Rainbow Girls but as “Lucille” for them. They started tonight not with Stars but with No Women Allowed. I think this worked really well for them, a quiet intro to the song itself but building up to a real rock out ending which makes a strong impact for a set opener and certainly gives an idea of what they are all about. The band are incredibly tight, confident and so much rockier than when I first came across them a couple of years back, they are developing and evolving at a terrific pace and I very much approve of the direction in which they are headed. They are bursting with creative ideas and energy and so productive.

Once again they charmed and wowed the crowd, and there was lovely participatory handclaps on She-Bop Nation. The audience were great, nobody was playing too cool for school so the vibe was lovely.

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

Rainbow Girls
(c) shashamane 2015

I just, just had time to catch the encore, an electric version of Dirty Business before saying quick goodbyes and dashing to catch the last train home. I always seem to cut it fine but this time surprisingly made it five minutes before departure.

On my last posting about Rainbow Girls I mentioned moments of serendipity where they are concerned. One of those moments for me this time was the train journey to London, meeting and spending a very pleasant couple of hours chatting with fellow passenger Rachel about all manner of things, some of which I needed to hear 🙂 Thanks Rachel, if you ever happen to see this. The other was that in the audience at the venue, I saw a face I sort of recognised but it wasn’t until much later that I realised it was Joel Sarakula, an artist who visited Grapevine at Bedfords exactly two years ago for Grapevine’s sixth birthday, this has prompted me to listen to his wonderful album The Golden Age again whilst I pen this post, it also has that 60s pop feel with the wonderful melodies.

Many thanks to Rainbow Girls, Blue House Music, and Itchy Teeth. Photos to follow…

words and photos (c) richard shashamane 2015

@RShashamane

https://www.facebook.com/NorwichLiveMusicPhotos

http://www.rainbowgirlsmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RainbowGirlsStomp?fref=ts

http://www.itchyteeth.org/

http://www.bhmusic.co.uk/

http://theslaughteredlambpub.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TomorrowsNostalgiaToday

https://www.facebook.com/ShashamaneArtPhotography

https://twitter.com/RShashamane

https://instagram.com/rshashamane/