Hecklergigs: The Long Blondes, Fibbers, York

We saw The Long Blondes at Fibbers, York - a place they had previously been banned from for using foul language(!) You would never believe it to lay eyes on them; Bassist Reenie in particular looks like a head girl.

So, there we were, bottle in hand at 10.00 pm still waiting for the headline act to perform on a rostrum no larger than a paddling pool; tired and our feet aching from perching up on tippy toe for the last hour and a half.

This was a strange and very tall crowd: teenage boys modelling themselves on Tony from Skins, young girls trying to ape lead singer Kate Jackson by wearing ballet shoes and stripy tops, miserable loners fake-frowning for England and the odd drunk standing at the front when, frankly, they could have seen the stage from the bus stop outside.

However, as the band picked up their instruments and Kate made her entrance, all our glumness fizzled away; our senses awakened as The Blondes' launched into their forthcoming single Century. This was a stonking opening - a rhythmic, sexy tune perfectly in keeping with Kate's delicious vocals and ideal fodder to get the twitchy crowd on side.

This was a new breed of ‘Blondes. Out were the summer holiday guitar tappy-tracks, now replaced by disco-led themes; stuffed full of 60's/70's/80's influences, from Abba to Donna Summer, Blondie to Depeche Mode, Gert Wilden to Joy Division - like it or lump it, the keyboard had landed.

All in all, the crowd relished this fresh material. By the band's own admission, only playing what Homer Simpson would describe as 'new crap' at a gig can throw the audience somewhat. They did toss in a couple of oldies though, which in all honesty the serious moshers did seem to prefer.

Nevertheless the classiest songs on offer were all-new. Guilt was a stand-out builder, slow and moody, while Here Comes The Serious Bit unleashed the beast. Yet even at full pelt The Long Blondes are not threatening; they just seem too lovely a bunch to fear.

Kate’s rambunctious singing style is oft-discussed in the music press. Being described as everything from powerful to unconventional, it was enlightening to hear her live. Expecting to be blasted into the toilets as she shrieked the place down, it transpires Kate is not the T-Rex of lead singers after all. She occasionally peaks with her Karen O/Debbie Harry-esque barrage, but rarely out of tune and never outgunning the microphone. Her voice is not even unconventional; it is a heavy and thrusting vocal, very nearly perfect.

It was a pity the band's set clocked in at just forty-five minutes, but maybe it is best to leave us wanting more? Maybe. The Skins kids did seem a touch flat as they headed back to the bar. Most of them looked to be up past their bedtime though, so were probably just missing mum and a hot-water bottle.

Quick mention to hilarious support act Kid Acne. A lively cross between House of Pain and Goldie Lookin' Chain, he rocked out with some cheerfully juvenile tracks and spat hardy with Blondes’ drummer ‘Screech Louder’ as he leapt onto the stage for a duet. Great fun.

Definitely check out The Long Blondes when they come your way. Expect something a bit more retro-poppy and a bit less hardcore indie and you won't cry like a big baby when all the samples start.