Sadly my viewing of England’s heroic fantasy-football extravaganza against Andorra means that I miss I Was A Cub Scout’s three support acts, namely Lets Bitter Cinema, Data Select Party, and The Social. The gig sees IWACS headlining as part of the Levi’s Ones To Watch Tour, and while they may still be classified as ones to watch, the attention they have been receiving surely merits a headline slot without a patronising ‘get in their early, kids’ tagline.

Appearing on stage largely unnoticed, the two members of I Was A Cub Scout are, in age and attire, entirely indistinguishable from their audience (with the very notable exception of a huge old Scottish man on crutches, who unexpectedly appears at the front midway through latest single ‘I Hate Nightclubs’ to attempt a hysterical pogo shuffle, before retreating just as suddenly). Beginning before many in the crowd have quite finished what they were saying, it is only after several seconds of singing that people finally hush.

No novelty bowler hats, matching suits or trademark beards to differentiate ‘Artist’ from ‘Public’ here. In fact, you get the feeling this band know a fair few of their fans by their first names, if not forum names. And while the fans attracted to the band may not all be 12, as singer Todd Marriott was told on Youtube (his naughty response apparently saw him banned), they’re about four years older at most judging by tonight’s crowd. Not that this is a bad thing. Indeed, the genuine lack of withered artistic aloofness and polished performance is one of the gig’s most refreshing aspects – Todd begins the show by adlibbing a ditty about being emo, before promptly misjudging the stage’s depth, falling off it and smacking his chin on the floor, guitar in tow.

The band’s set is kept short and as a result is never given the time to sag. Their synth-infused indie with an emotional frame (emotronica, if you will) translates well on stage, and while energy and enthusiasm is always high, it is slightly disappointing to note that the majority of songs taken from the band’s upcoming debut album fail to measure up to the ‘old hits’, at least on first listen. It is unlikely that only two days past their one year anniversary the band have already peaked, but it is the older songs, and set closers, ‘Teenage Skin’ and ‘Pink Squares’, that truly get the audience grooving, not surprising considering their stronger tunes and Todd’s accompanying Hand Puppet versus Grasshopper improvisatory (I hope) dance moves. While the show lacks any remarkable peaks, it’s still a plenty decent concert from a very promising band.

Live image taken from the band's MySpace site, here