Teaspoonriverneck on stage at the Fermain. (Picture by Mark Windsor)

I headed up to the Tav last Saturday, in the rain, to catch the second gig to be held in the newly-refurbed area.

The outing was to promote local compilation CD GBG2, as well as raising funds for the third CD collection.

Taking to the stage were Mike Meinke, Asylum Seekas and Teaspoonriverneck.

After I overcame the obstacle of finding a home for my coat for the evening (I didn’t realise these things were so difficult) and had a good moan about it, I headed to the floor to catch the Seekas.

The last couple of times I’ve watched them, at Ivy Castle and at Fusion, I think too much Breda consumption had overshadowed the performance.

It was filled with an array of colourful words and I wondered what had happened to the normally beat-perfect hip-hop outfit.

Saturday’s set? Well, I’m pleased to report that the Seekas have returned to their usual top form.

Highs, lows, fast, slow – the set had everything from Tinie Tempah’s Pass Out backing track to Dead Prez and even a bit of Rage Against the Machine.

Throwing in their own tracks, one of which features on GBG2, they had the dedicated crowd bobbing. It seems  they have been experimenting with new styles to add a different dimension to their set.

I heard licks of an edgier, rocky sound and the use of metal favourite Killing in the Name Of confirmed this.

As always, I was taken aback by how cleverly written their own material is. Great lyricists, the lads take elements of Guernsey life and include them in their tracks.

They pay homage to the island’s main draught beer, which always brings a smile to my face – I can relate.

Each MC has a different style and Jimi was on fire on Saturday, not stumbling over any words.

He raps with such aggression and passion that it’s hard to look at what the others are doing when he opens his mouth. He brings you in on the performance, waving at the audience to come closer and to listen to what he has to say.

After getting arm-ache from waving it in the air to the Seekas for half an hour, it was time for Teaspoonriverneck to hit the stage.

This is right up my street at the moment. After spending a solid week at a drum and bass festival, I have not gone near the stuff since. Instead my metal, rock and riot grrrl has been on constant replay.

So feeding my current thirst for something a lot harder and rawer – basically, something to let your hair down to and that allows you to bump into others without getting done for assault, I was really looking forward to listening to the ’spoons.

Locally, they have always been a favourite. I genuinely think that their material is really well-written.

They tell me off when I say it reminds me of Nirvana’s Bleach days and I’d like to point out that no, they don’t sound like that, but the raw yet pure atmosphere they create reminds me of the way I feel when I listen to Bleach.

I always prefer seeing them inside – I think it carries their sound better – and with the Tav’s awesome new sound system, they sounded even better.

Lynchy’s infectious growl makes me pull a face that says, ‘Hell, yeah’.

The addition of John Sealey on keyboard may have raised a few eyebrows when he first joined, but it works.

It adds a different dimension to the band’s sound. And he fits right in with his long curly hair and glasses, looking like a mad professor behind the keys.

They played a set with new tracks as well as some of their classics.

The new songs have carried on with the gritty stoner rock, yet seem to have taken on a harder edge too.

I was pleased that they played some of my favourites, such as Who’s That Pi**ing on my Wall?, Eaten by the Devil and Ballard LB.

Another wicked set from some Guernsey veterans.