Packet talent night gets warm reviews

Published on 7th August 2008 in Ents

Despite being hotter than the earth's core, the Steam Packet, by eight o'clock, was rife with expectancy, excitement, and perspiration.

'The Loretta Martins' began by mimicking the soulful crooning of Joni Mitchell. Frontman Jamie Buncarp span a yarn of acoustic melancholy, lullabying a roguish, unsettled audience.

What followed was unprecedented. 'The Good Shepherds', a hybrid of defunct Yorkshire bands 'Legbyepie' and 'Penrose Overdrive', took to the stage.  Blistering through a feverish six-song set, they refused to loosen the vice-like grip they had established upon their devotees.

One need look no further than the sublime garage pop of 'Lambs To The Slaughter' - imagine The Beach Boys plying their trade in mid-seventies New York; Blondie on backing vocals. Concluding with the already infamous 'Puffin Song' (loosely based on Gordon Ramsey's faltering attempts to capture the coastal bird), the band descended into a perplexing yet strangely emphatic haze of sound.

The Shepherds left the stage amidst a barrage of gesticulating youths; arms outstretched, thinking of themselves only as birds. 'Recruitment 46' then took hold of the reins and held tight, delivering an entertaining half hour complete with drum solo. As local residents clicked off their reading lamps, the headline act readied themselves for a fatigued crowd.

Too much mock flying, not enough water. Vintage Watts, Goole's answer to Dire Straits, tantalised those in attendance like Arabian snake charmers. Their cover of Fatboy Slim's 'Praise You' created a unnerving hunger to sprint home and find your very own 'Fatboy' greatest hits.

As time was called on Goole's unsung talent pool, so came the muffled warblings of the street outside - something about a puffin.

D. B. Guivarch