The Rakes: The Warning

Brixton Academy, London, England, 31/3/07

The Rakes by Han Quintrell

Due to a PR mix-up me and me mate ended up in the balcony of Brixton Academy halfway through the sickening We Start Fires set, taking the opportunity to literally relax with our feet up and a pint. Nothing could keep us still during the Holloways, mind. A slice of drunkenness and ‘Two Left Feet’ (no pun intended, honest) later we swap our tickets with a couple of dead-looking thirty year olds for standing, and head on into the mosh pit. I’m not even sure if it’s worth recounting the rakes’ performance as despite the new songs and all of that like they’re still the same band I’ve seen seven times over. I’m not sure there’s too much to say on them anymore. They’re suffering a sever case of second album syndrome but if they can battle through it I believe they can be one of the strongest acts we’ve seen in the indie world for a long time. It was fucking brilliant to hear Ausland Mission again - still the best song they've ever written.

I advise any future Brixton Academy goers to take as little with them as possible – crime has been sweeping the beautiful building as of late, at the recent Fratellis gig about 200 people had their phones stolen. The count of reported five-fingering were slightly lower last night but my mate had both her ipod and her purse stolen straight from her closed bag. If you suspect fowl play over a missing phone call Brixton Academy over at 020 7771 3000. If it hasn’t turned up you can at least report it – you never know.

MP3's to follow.