For a band that has been described as sounding lyrically close to the likes of early Arctic Monkeys it was almost appropriate that two songs before they took to the stage it was the sharp wit of Alex Turner blaring through the Koko airwaves. A warm up? A teaser perhaps?
Arriving on stage, baby faced front man Joe Jones encourages everyone to move forward, get closer and get ready to dance. With an energetic trumpet section and gyrating bass lines it was hard not to.
Musically their sound is hard to classify, indie ska comes closest, but still doesn’t fully encapsulate the raw funk and happy soul of the Janice Graham Band. Cat Empire meets Artic Monkeys meets The Specials, a unique blend of music that sets them and their sound apart from a lot of music around.
Check out their new single here: