The Seagulls performing their debut gig at the Venture Inn last Saturday. Vocalist and bassplayer Pete Le Maitre, left, is pictured with drummer Geoff Denton. (Pictures by Mark Windsor, 0960280)

The Seagulls landed at the Venture Inn last Saturday and took off twice in two glorious flights of upbeat rock ’n’ pop, with more than a hint of country twang thrown in.

As fellow reviewer Colin Leach has already remarked, there are hints here of the Byrds and the Eagles – and the band are more Buddy Holly than Holly Johnson – more Hank (Williams) than ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood’.

The atmosphere in the pub was warm, friendly and fun – the response to the band from the audience immediate and infectious – just as much among the Venture’s regular punters as among the band’s supporters.

The Seagulls’ first set showcased the recently released CD, The Crying Line – surely one of the best/most upbeat albums released locally in recent years.

With good sound balance, band front man, vocalist and songwriter Pete Le Maitre’s voice and range of vocal styling was heard at its best. Geoff Denton’s relaxed but sharp rhythm making and Pete’s own bass playing laid the foundations for this, but part of the delight of this band’s simple yet rich offering was Geoff Brehaut’s guitar playing.

This was a revelation for those of us more familiar with the style of his talented brother, Mick. The brothers clearly have a ‘feel’ for their chosen musical instrument.

Geoff (pictured left), possibly overshadowed in the past by Mick’s great guitar playing and out-and-out ‘lead’ style, stepped up to the plate in his own inimitable way.

This, never too dominant, augmented the overall sound of the band with a range of touches and flourishes that never detracted from his fellow musicians. But when he took the lead, Geoff did so with great taste and economy.

With drummer Geoff Denton turning up from the UK for just two days, the second set was necessarily thrown together at the last minute but it went down well – a range of seemingly effortless covers in a similar musical groove to their own.

For this set the boys were joined by musicians including Andy Mason on mouth harp, who helped ramp up the band’s output.

The audience loved it all.

Proprietor Jerry Allen must have been pleased with the turnout.

He has just returned to the island after a kidney transplant – we wish him well.

I recommend The Seagulls’ album – the Crying Line is, as Leachy says, ‘definitely one for the summer’.