‘Forget girlfriends, forget haircuts, forget the NME, we are the Philadelphia Grand Jury, you can call us the Philly jays and we are ready to party!’

Moments before this declaration of intent I was stood watching a bearded man hyperventilate. The short breathed man was MC Bad Genius from the Philadelphia Grand Jury, and as he sheltered in the shadows of the stage he looked like a man experiencing all the emotions of a cocker spaniel in a K Hole. His band mate, and Philly Jays lead singer, Berkfinger was centre stage and after exchanging a nod from his bearded bandmate delivered his opening salvo, and with that the Lexington exploded.

The Philly Jays strangle your average rock and roll show, twisting it by the bollocks, caressing its quivering upper lip and punctuating any thought of portentous cool. Songs from their debut album Hope for the Hopers hurtle past at a meteoric rate, each scratching at the earlobes of a salivating crowd. 'Going to the Casino (Tomorrow Night)' ends with Berkfinger in the eye of the frenzied storm that has become the dance floor, sharing vocal duties with the newly converted congregation.

'I Don’t Want To Party (Party)' is tonight extended to a 11 minute call from the gates of hell; the drum solo is only stopped once the kit is physically taken away from drummer Calvin, and with each band member at opposite ends of the venue it looks like the gig has fallen apart around them. Jay Z comes as the (unlikely) savior when a cover of '99 Problems' unites the crowd in Hip Hop unison. The walls crawl with rabid fans declaring their devotion while Berkfinger, straddling their passion, fights from on top of the bar down through the crowd and back up to the stage. Bringing the evening to a triumphant end, the Philly Jays have slain the Rock and Roll dragon.

SEE THIS BAND BEFORE YOU DIE

Posted In Live Reviews, Jul 01 2011. Words - Chris Barrett