7 Boyfriends sound how the White Stripes would sound if they had a bass player. And an extra drummer. The latter appears to have been conceived following a drunken liaison between Ricky Wilson and former Chelsea goalkeeper Ed de Goey. His drum is a old-fashioned metal dustbin.

Next up come Screaming Keith, like The Rapture but with tunes. Yet they manage to alienate most of the audience with their nervous/disinterested body language, which sees them spending most of the time with their backs to the crowd.

Tonight it's the launch party for new single 'Man Of No Importance'. A track whose video has been played by MTV. Not that the promo can be more entertaining than the band live, especially lead singer Staale.

Staale joined Cherubs in 2000 along with drummer Matthew, two years after the group formed but only two months later than when the original members bothered to pick up some instruments. On stage, he's as jerky as Talking-Heads-era David Byrne. He also gives good schtick, finishing a weird morris-dancing-esque jam with: "We don't have a name for that song yet. Sorry about that. We just don't."

Cherubs supported The Libertines on their Scandinavian tour, but don't let that fool you. They're more reminiscent of Interpol. Played at 77rpm. Or a 'super group' formed from members of The Bravery and Ikara Colt.

Cherubs more than match their support bands, but come a little way short of eclipsing The Kinks. These angels with dirty faces shouldn't worry much just yet. Time is on their side.
(3¾/5)

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