Mummy Short Arms

First on were Mummy Short Arms, an admirable six piece originally from Ayr. With a crazed front man doing a fine impression of Sean Ryder, they possess a freakish ability to slip from Strokes-esque cool to a more metal-based form of yowling, they were the highlight of the night.... - Skinny Magazine - http://www.skinnymag.co.uk/content/view/1044/144/

Things look good for Mummy Short Arms. They've got a brilliant frontman who dances around the stage like a cross between Axl Rose and Ian Curtis - it's refreshing to see someone so engaged with his songs. Their guitarist, drummer, and bassist seem assuredly skilled, tossing riffs out effortlessly to the room. They have a Korg, and, more importantly, a man who not only knows what to do with it but can play whilst jumping up and down. Their songs, a tumble of wailing song, shouting and brilliantly loud guitars, quite frankly rock. They're drinking Red Stripe. They even have a cowbell. It's all good.

Then, suddenly, we're in danger zone. Muscles are tensed. Teeth clenched. Eyebrow raised of its own accord. They're covering the Pixies.

Everyone has a touchy subject when it comes to covers. A friend of mine gets a murderous look in his eyes whenever anybody tries the Cure. Unfortunately, it's the Pixies who get my over-protective back up. This obsession began after hearing the murder of "Where Is My Mind" by the evil-haired Placebo - a recording which, and I'm not exaggerating, gets my skin crawling. So I'm a little worried for Mummy Short Arms for a moment, with "The Holiday Song" standing between us.

Miraculously, they don't do a Placebo. In fact, as far as covers go, it is a straight, lovingly played one. Our man on the Korg even reveals his "Death to the Pixies" t-shirt as they work their way through it. They're actually doing the Pixies WELL. We can all relax.

Despite this, they're not a band who need to worry about using other people's stuff. Their own messed up indie pop songs are certainly adequate. A few give a nod to that Pixies influence. Others don't seem to know where they've sprung from, but you're glad they did. Towards the end of the set, the lyrics invite everybody to dance, and the band do so impressively, bouncing with the kind of synchronicity that McFly would kill for. It's the perfect round up for this talented and entertaining band. - Live Music Direct - http://www.livemusicdirect.co.uk