Happy 10th birthday, Josaka!

Sarah Stead • Published 19 Mar 2009 09:30 0 Comments

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Influential local record label and music website Josaka.com celebrated its 10th anniversary last weekend with a four-band gig at 21 South Street, Reading.

At the top of the bill were Basingstoke-based emo rock band Enjoy Destroy, who are currently on a headline tour. Support came from top-notch local acts The Circus Sands, Jets Against Giants and Flame To Fire.

Before this gig, I had not heard FLAME TO FIRE - but I was blown away. Like the rings of a tree trunk, the length of the vocalist's dredlocks told me that there were many years of dedication to music behind this band, and it showed. Technically excellent, they produced a huge sound for their small number (just a guitar, bass and drums). Out of the four the acts who played, this band leaned most towards classic rock - polished, soaring vocals and epic drumming - but some electronic equipment I didn't quite manage to get sight of gave them a great edge and some happening beats! Listen to them at www.myspace.com/flametofireofficial

Next up were Reading band JETS AGAINST GIANTS. Their music is more punky, more bouncy and younger than Flame To Fire, and it was good fun. This frenetic foursome all got rather sweaty during their performance, which is testimony to the energy they put into it. They've got some really good tracks, and I'll definitely be looking out for their gigs in the future. Listen to them at www.myspace.com/jetsagainstgiants

Main support came from my new best friends, THE CIRCUS SANDS. Their sexy rock and roll was a very different sound from the earlier bands, but by no means did that count against them. The whole crowd was moving and shaking in some way or other, especially one enthusiastic fan who seemed to be to The Circus Sands what Bez was to The Happy Mondays. I can hardly blame him. Every track and every driving riff was so toe-tappingly, hip-shakingly good that I wished I was wearing leather pants. Their music is dirty, it is raw, and it makes you want to dance. Don't believe me? Check out this video to their track Dr Death, mainly filmed at the Rising Sun Arts Centre or listen at www.myspace.com/thecircussands

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Headline act ENJOY DESTROY were the most commercial-friendly of the bands - their melodic rocky sound and boyish good looks have earned them wide acclaim and a deserved national tour. Their debut album was produced by Grant Nicholas of Feeder fame - exciting things are in store. Aside from the girls screaming, everyone really got into the music and the band handled the crowd well. It's clear they're no strangers to the attention, and are raring to get onto bigger and better things.

Listen to them at www.myspace.com/enjoydestroy or see the video for their single screamer here.

All hail www.josaka.com

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 19 Mar 09

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