LIVE: STRANGE CAGES - The Shacklewell Arms, London (26.08.16)

It’s been almost a year since we saw STRANGE CAGES live, but after watching them at The Shacklewell Arms on Friday night, it’s clear the Brighton trio are still acing the raw psych-fuelled sound we remember them for.

Whilst the band’s material is brand new, their sound and style is tinged with 60s rock and roll nostalgia. In a recent interview with Brighton’s finest, vocalist and guitarist Charlie McConnochie said lyrically he writes “stuff that sounds twisted and paranoid” and he performs in a similar way; moving intently towards the microphone to deliver his charismatic, corrosive vocals.

With an array of pedals at his feet, he manipulates his guitar sound and thrashes about between verses, delivering moody tunes like ‘If You’re Leaving Me Cold’ and brand new single ‘Bam Bam Boom’, taken from the band’s debut EP Ego Killer.

There’s an urgent energy which pulsates from the back of the stage courtesy of drummer Ellis Dickson, despite a drum stick flying from his grasp in the opening minutes. He recovered it effortlessly and continued to play with precision and tenacity for the rest of the set, which the band ended with eponymous track ‘Ego Killer’.

The trio are playing at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar in Brighton this Sunday (28th) so head down to their basement to hear the twisted psych sounds of the alarmingly talented STRANGE CAGES.

Support came from superb bass and drums duo SKINNY MILK.