James Apollo, Tom Mckean, I Am Not Left Handed @ The Fly | livemusic.fm

OK I admit it, I really went along to see Tom Mckean and the other two bands were a bonus ... The Fly is one of Central london's newer venues, run by the same geezers that run the Barfly up in Camden Town. It hasn't quite got the Camden vibe but it is still nonetheless a good-sized small venue with a decent stage and sound system, enabling some of London's lesser known bands to cut their teeth. So - I am Not Left Handed. Clearly playing some of their first gigs together and still a little awkward on stage - but, that said, the songs were interesting and the female lead-singer had an individual voice - kind of Karen Carpenter meets Tori Amos at a Frank Black gig. The value of a good front-person is not to be underestimated when you're playing to less than 30 people and still a little uncomfortable on stage - but luckily the bass player, once he'd warmed up, fulfilled that role with some soft-spoken Irish verve. Overall an interesting start - I like girls playing guitar but they are sometimes hampered by a lack of natural wrist movements and can be a bit 'clunky', however her voice was emotive and original and the quality of the song-writing meant you felt this band had something to offer... They will have no doubt felt good cheered on by their friends and playing to a room full of new people. All good experience and it will be interesting to see how they develop. Afterwards Tom McKean & The Emperors appeared, in their customary snappy suits, following a quick change-over, as band members moved their kit on and off stage... which took me right back to my own days of playing live music and remembering what an arse it was after you'd just played a set! Now I'd seen Tom & the Emperors before and been impressed by their unique sound, song-writing and overall presence. I wasn't to be disappointed. By 9pm the room had filled with over 100 people and there was an air of expectation as Tom started the set in hushed tones. Songs such as "Til The Day I Die" & "Hold On To Me" and "This'll be the Year" highlighted the bands song-writing skills and Tom's mellifluous vocals carried each number - including a rather cheeky Johnny Cash inspired ditty. Tom is a dry laconic Scotsman with an engaging presence on stage - and quite a lot of humour. Songs such as "Tell the Angels" and "Little Something" and "This Will be the Year" also display a real talent in songwriting. This coupled with timing tighter than a "nun's chuff" and little touches of clarinet really give the Emperors a unique sound and personality. The closing cover number "Old Fashioned Morphine" featured some free jazz crowd-pleasing antics from clarinet player Andy Simms and the Emperors finished their set with applomb. In spite of the size of the venue, you really get a sense that the Emperors are seasoned veterans of the London music scene and I can't believe they won't be playing much larger venues very soon. They play the Borderline on 21st December and I for one will be going along and taking some mates! Find out more here: http://www.theemperors.co.uk So, finally the headliners... James Apollo, who swaggered onto stage at 10.30pm. They were confident and accomplished, but perhaps lacking in mystique and James tended to hide behind the slick band and some vocal fx. I also felt they were slightly unegaging compared to Tom Mckean & perhaps overly influenced by the whole "David Lynch" style considering we were in the West Central rather than the MidWest! Having said that a few numbers stood out and the guy had an uncanny resemblance to James Thirlwell (an underground music icon who has worked with many artists in his time - as well as his many incarnations of "Foetus") Songs such as "I Got it Easy" stood out and Apollo clearly had some presence and style that perhaps on a different night might have shone out some more. If you're into that whole 50's Chris Isaak/David Lynch sound then you should go and see the "Long Insiders" who, in my opinion, are much more entertaining and original - http://livemusic.fm/artist/thelonginsiders.