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“I don't quite know what to say, I'm speechless......this is one of the best gigs I've played”
These were the words uttered by Jack Penate at the end of a sold-out gig at The Junction on a dreary Tuesday night in Cambridge. Despite the gloomy atmosphere outside, the scene inside was considerably lighter buoyed by the jaunty, jangle, riot body popping showcase laid down by Penate to a crowd of already slightly inebriated, wire happy punters. Penate is one of the UK's best new pop talents (in the live arena, at least), blending a soulful mix of ska fuelled songs, expert musicianship and with an energetic and some what eccentric physical stage presence. The robotic generic pop ideal is replaced with a new wave starlet. Since playing the acoustic circuit to little acclaim from 2002, Penate has grown in confidence and perfected his talents. Spells grafting on and off stage with childhood friend Felix White from The Maccabees has seen this average middle class, public school boy turn pop-ska demi god in no time.
Opening with 'Spit At Stars', the crowd rocked by the music of special guests Wild Beats and Video Nasties, seemingly short of breath from their initial welcoming cheers soon obliged with the usual missile throwing and crowd surfing. 'Spit At Stars' being an unusual title does lead however to the inevitable from time to time. Hiding behind a heavy fringe and low riding cap Penate's vocals soared with faultless execution. Whilst with a faint cockney twang they were pitched without the excruciatingly annoying gruff that is emitted from the likes of Kate Nash, Jamie T and Lily Allen sounding like a cockney version of Vic Reeves club singer routine from BBC 2's Shooting Stars.
With faultless shows on bass guitar and drums from Joel Porter and Alex Robbins Penate's tracks taken from forth coming album 'Matinee' were reeled off including third single 'Torn On The Platform' which was particularly well received. Seemingly somewhat subdued than normal but with the usual routine of rolling eyes, significant physical stage presence and crowd interaction, Penate retired from the stage to chants of “Jack, Jack, Jack...”. No not a call for more spirits to be stock at the bar instead of the job lot of Japanese beer on tap, but a call for more of everyone's favourite South Londoner.
Penate, mopped down and revived hit the stage to dose fans up with a beautifully reworked rendition of Beats International's 'Dub Good To Me', to be featured on the next single as a b-side. Heavy on the bass and with melodic drumming, the usual riffling injection of guitar from Penate and his strangely over sized forearm slotted into place. The gig was rounded off with the classic 'Second, Minute or Hour', released originally in 2006 and re-released just recently it stands as one of Penate's most appealing tracks dominant with the usual Madness fuelled, feel good factor.
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