Kill Cheerleader, kill!

Kill Cheerleader have been lauded by Lemmy and praised by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, but I can't imagine them rocking a stadium. Not because they don't sound great, but because there's just something about them that demands they play sleazy dives. Mavericks is a fairly well-maintained sports bar, but a bunch of dirty rock fans did manage to make it out to mosh with marked enthusiasm as the band formerly know as Cheerleader and Cheerleader666 romped through songs from their new album All Hail and old favourites like Shit City. Nasty rock, both west and east coast varieties, figures in their sound. Add in some Smack (the great Finnish band that Guns'n'Roses shamelessly aped) and you've go the KC vibe.

The man formerly known as Cawke, Ethan Deth.



Chad spreads.



Kriss Rites in mid-wallop.



Drum solo!



When your strap goes, it's a good time for feedback.





This is the only photo I shot where you can actually see Chad's face.





As the night wore on, the fans were getting a little loopy. One guy with a beard and a fedora turned to me and yelled "I DON'T KNOW YOU!!!" and laughed like a hyena. I didn't know him either, but I did detect a pronounced resemblance to Dr. Teeth from The Muppet Show. A short girl jumped on Skottie Lobotomy, causing him to fall on me. Another drunk and diminutive dame tried to spritz beer on Chad, gave up when she realized the bottle was empty and just tossed it at his feet where it shattered. In sum, they should be on a bill with Jake Lovetart ...

• Show reminder: Mighty Eagle Band and Jesus Mullet play Babylon.