PLEASE MAKE SENSE @ ENGINE ROOM 26th July 2006

Pope Joan, Flame On, My Rhino, The Mekano Set, D.J. BFD

Despite its reputation as a haunt for Brighton's pierced and painted rubber-clad rock masses, The Engine Room Club is a really down to earth and welcoming place. A far cry from the usual fashion-centric Trashbat bar scene anyway. Very much a piece of old-school Brighton. And having survived the 'clean up', it's sleazy underworld vibe provides the perfect environment for the likes of local sensations The Flesh Happening and Grizzly Giant, plus club nights such as Born Bad, Crash, Low Life, and tonight's PLEASE MAKE SENSE event.

PMS is brought to us by the same drunken post-punk collective responsible for the Rock and Roll Sweatbox nights - who regularly bring us the likes of the Flesh Happening (Joy Division meets Selfish C), Imbeciles (psychojazzpunk), Utopians (disco-punk scenesters) and The Mekano Set (Burlesque electro-rock).

Burlesque Electro: not to be confused with Goth Porn. Local lads My Rhino open proceedings with a real air of confidence and maturity, effortlessy blending chillout style programming with expertly tailored guitars that always remain on the respectable side of 'guitar instrumental': no blues licks. Their sound relies quite heavily on the programmed elements, and it might make sense for them to have a live DJ type person on-board. I would love to see this band with a guest vocalist or two.

London's bright sparks Flame On are up next. Their take on electro-guitar is a real breath of fresh air: free-wheeling jungle / drum and bass programming; surging, minimal-complex My Bloody Valentine style rhythm guitar-work nicely contrasted by tuneful chiming bass; a real dynamism between the male and female vocals. The Flame burn bright tonight, sparkling with freshness and thought. They've obviously had some kind of an image makeover recently, ditching the baseball caps and trainers in favour of a touch of glamour, and a big hat. Nice. It is really encouraging to see a band utilize the best elements of electronica and guitar music.

A darker take on the 'electronica with guitar's tip, The Mekano Set are a more contentious proposition. Vocalist Beth radiates an air of confidence that borders on agression and frequently kicks down that border with a biker-booted foot. At times she almost seems to spit out the words, alternately glaring at and completely ignoring the crowd, writhing around on the floor, pushing her way through the crowd to get to the bar half-way through a song. This is one angry young woman. Stunning, and capable of doing more than stun.

The multi-layered beats, atomized guitar and filthy basslines provide the perfect backdrop to Beth's "post-punk diva" antics, but tonight her fellow Mekanoids seem to be just going through the motions. Patrick's squidgy noise-guitar throws out the usual crashing waves of melodic noise, but he's way too low in the mix, and Milk remains uncharacteristically silent and reserved throughout proceedings. If this keeps up they'll be in danger of turning into the Sleeper Blokes they seemed so keen to attack early on.

D.J. Bad Fucking Disease is on form as ever though, spinnig a healthy selection of ultra-fresh indi-pop hits - but his hillarious original material remains conspicious by its abscence.

While headliners Pope Joan owe an obvious debt to the likes of Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand, they add a certain charm, and unique approach to processed-guitar-noise all of their own to angular post-Wire guitar work and Gang of Four style punk-funk grooves. Why this band aren't already massive I have no idea. Pope Joan make the likes of the Franz look like shabby old drunks gone to seed. Not every guitar-wielding youth can get away with a neckerchief and a post-punk afro. Sensational.

While all of the acts tonight radiate a real sense of purpose and presence, it occurs to me that the only substantial thing they really have in common is an attention to detail present in the lushness of their sounds. Where your average group, whether guitar or electronics based, are often concerned with conforming to structure and throwing the same old reassuring shapes, tonights acts seem just as concerned with tone, flavour, vibe, and dare I say it 'production'. Call it what you will. It's like whipped cream. And it's after dark, who's to know?

Rollo Kim.