Can You Gig It? The Hoosiers

After their new album made it to number one in the charts this weekend, The Hoosiers continued their current UK tour playing the Thekla Social in Bristol on Monday night.
And how does one celebrate being top of the album charts, you might ask? Perhaps a little late night debauchery? A tipple or two? Not Alfonso, the band’s blonde 118 look-alike drummer. I can exclusively reveal he was watching Grand Designs. Now if that doesn’t say “man of the people”, I don’t know what does.
Some folk round here aren’t too keen on The Hoosiers - read over to see what I thought of them…

Here’s my verdict in answer to My Chemical Toilet’s gig-grilling questions:
How did you rate the venue?
I love the Thekla. It’s a bar and a venue on a boat moored up on Bristol Mud Docks. They put on some great acts, and bands usually enjoy the novelty of being on a boat, too.
What were the crowd like?
There were a lot of poppy princesses so the overall mood was one of general excitement – especially when one of the guys started signing free CD’s. You could almost hear the cries of “Oh - my - God, he’s sooooo fit”
Was the support act any good or did it send you to the bar?
The Hoosiers were supported by: Naomi Roper, who (although I missed her set) informs me she was very good. The second support were Grace – an irresistible indie rock band with an infectious energy and songs you end up singing all day. For me, these guys were the main event and with recent record company troubles, they rocked like they had a lot to prove.
Bar – rip-off or value for money?
The Thekla’s bar is pretty reasonable and stocks such delicacies as Strawberry and Pear Cider for those with a sweet tooth. It’s even better value if someone else pays though!
Venue staff – nice or nasty?
Despite a lack of openness to the sounds of the support, they’re not above chatting to the punters and usually have a smile. I actually ended up giving them my Hoosiers badges after an (almost) heated band debate.
Toilets – swilling with piss, or spick and span?
Being a boat, the metal makes them a bit cold, but generally they’re a 7/10.

Highlight / lowlight of show?
My lowlight of the show had to be embarrassing myself by not knowing who Naomi was when we got chatting early in the evening. The highlight was undoubtedly spending the rest of the night boozing with the Hoosiers and Grace boys and the offer of going with them to Liverpool! Damn my day-job!