Codeine Velvet Club (Manchester)

Ruby Lounge is packed tonight as news has spread that a Fratelli is in town. Mere mention of The Fratellis is enough to have people darting round screaming ‘commercial sellout’, but this visit marks a departure from The Fratellis pub sing-alongs as this duo of John Lawley and Lou Hickey are more about sophistication and the cinematic feel of songs, along with a girl/boy vocal reminiscent of the 1960s, is most welcome and surprisingly addictive. The Gruff-like tones of John’s voice seems to compliment the sweetness of Lou’s voice at times to stunning effect on the cinematic ‘Nevada’ and the retort of the male/female vocal of new single ‘Vanity Kills’ is backed by a brass ensemble which makes for an epic sound.

There are still shades of The Fratellis with the opening male vocal of ‘Little Sister’, but the song retains its bite with the female vocal. The duo even includes a performance of the Christmassy ‘Hollywood’ for good measure to keep up the energy of the set.

There is no fault to speak of this in this blistering set, although there is a feeling that their music will soon demand a large venue. With quality tunes like this in their arson, the iniquities of The Fratellis are rapidly forgotten and it seems that the coming together of Jon and Lou is a match made in heaven.



Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 18th November 2009.

Written by Dan Nelson.