Tuesday 19th May 2001

My Friend Irma @ The Boat Race, 16 May Paul Francis listened to this up and coming band and reviewed their quirkings and lurkings... My Friend Irma offer indie-rock with a twist. The quirkiness of their song writing mirrors their appearance; I’ve rarely seen such an unlikely collection of individuals on stage. The female vocalist Jen, looks like a slimmed down Alison Moyet with extra bounce, feisty but fun and a fine voice. She is assisted in the singing stakes by Tom Kendon, who strums away on acoustic guitar in chequered shirt and curtains, giving the impression of a lost Housemartin.   If this all sounds rather eighties, Guy Henderson, lead guitar, sports a wild frizz of hair and a shirt as psychedelic as the wide range of effects he pulls from his instrument. Tim Glasswell keeps to the tradition of quietly professional bass players, lurking non-descriptively in the shadows but driving the band on. The band’s biog.’s describe him as a self-confessed DVDaholic and professional crisp eater and as far as on-stage charisma go, this just about sums it up. But this is more than made up for by the tattooed colossus behind the drum kit, Dave Morris. This scary looking fellow kept us entertained with innovative drumming and constant banter and antics with the front row. A constant consumption of beer was very much part of his on-stage persona.   Voted audience favourite at the last Cambridge Band Competition and having played support for The Real Thing, MyFI have some catchy numbers in their repertoire and can be recommended as a fun pub band with a character all of their own.   Rushed in at late notice to support were a band called the Straw Bees. This tight four-piece played an energetic set, showing influences such as the Stone Roses and Supergrass. Their manager claims this young band has a catalogue of over a hundred songs. Ones to look out for in the future.   Paul Francis