The Lock Up opened the show for a small but enthusiastic crowd which filled the intimate venue, a rehearsal studio. The band, playing as an eight-piece on the night as their saxophonist is now studying in Manchester, opened with the love song(ish) Twaz Cakes, named after their trumpeter, and knocked out a well-received set of their own material of punky ska, including Stand Tall, Two Per cent and The Lock Up. Led by guitarist-vocalist Daz and singers Mel and Ben, The Lock Up sounded tighter and had much clearer vocals than last time I saw them at Going Underground in September, giving a very professional performance, with the possible exception of drummer Wiggy having to answer a call of nature halfway through the set! The band finished with an up-tempo version of Toots and the Maytals' Pressure Drop, bringing an end to what may be their last gig for a while as they are now concentrating on an album as a follow-up to their Apathy In The UK EP. The Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers provided a pleasing contrast to The Lock Up's sometimes frenetic style. Described by Rude News as "the best, most authentic ska ever played by white men", the seven-piece's only electrical instruments are lead singer Sir Bald Diddley's guitars and pianist Kid Wig's Clavinova, with double bass, drums and three-piece brass section (trumpet, trombone, saxophone) giving the band a meaty, vintage ska sound. The band's set of original tunes showcased their material, including the four tracks on their debut EP (If The Coast Is Clear/ Hugh Mingus/ Baldhead/ Drugs Mule) along with funky ska number The Clinch (dedicated to everyone who managed to find the venue), Everybody Ska!, Liposuction and Shot Full of Holes. With their original material and experienced line up, the Nine-Tonners look set to go on to greater things and have a number of gigs lined up, both headlining themselves and supporting Neville Staples (of Specials fame) in London and Oxford before going international in January at the Ska Festival in Rennes, France. Reading's DJ Smiler provided the sounds and is on the decks again at Club Rude at the Afro Ba in Merchant's Place on Tuesday 29 November, when the other regulars will be joined by Dave Greet, who will add some Northern Soul. | 
