Friday night was a hugely successful party at Mao featuring the Lions of Puxi in the headlining slot  with support provided by the lovely Break For Borneo and my semi-serious project, The Violent Phlegms. Break for Borneo sounded great – I want to hear them more often through sound systems of that caliber rather than through the tiny PAs at Kaiba or Urban. Their reggae grooves were loose and silky and everyone who caught their set was entranced and impressed.

My band, a mere Violent Femmes tribute band was very well received. The audience response was humbling, especially considering they’re all songs that I never wrote. (photo by Thomas Wayne)

And of course there were the Lions. F&ck me they’re tighter than a nun’s *&^%. Last week I mentioned that the only thing I could fault them on is being too good. Now I’d like to take that back. I can’t fault them on it – they are just excellent. They are not running along the leading edge of the avant-garde. They are not playing anything in funny time signatures or weird poly-tonal keys. They are just playing very damn solid, danceable reggae. They are providing a party atmosphere and they do it so well. Guathier and Gilbert provide an excellent twin attack from the centre of the stage and they are ably backed up by a team of thousands… ok, there were seven other people on stage besides them – it still looks pretty busy up there. (photos by Thomas Wayne)

Big thanks and pats on the back to Nate and Carl and their organising abilities to pull it off. The night was a big production and , Mao was busy with a guestimated more than 400 people through the door. If you missed the Lions this time round, then next time is a must. And if you missed the Phlegms, well, that might’ve been your last chance…