Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash @ Cabaret Voltaire

Riding into town with a gun-slinging six-shooter of a name, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash bring the heart and soul of redneck America to 'Auld Reekie'. Billed as foot-stomping rockabilly rebels paternally blessed by the fast-living country legend, the band's reputation precedes itself in a bouncing Cabaret Voltaire. But instead of a rootin' tootin' ho-down the crowd are confronted by the banality of an inner-city barn dance mimicking a spaghetti-western. Bereft of passion, this Californian quartet sounds as insipid as The Eagles and as authentic as The Bloodhound Gang. Tellingly, the one flicker of inspiration is a cover of the Arkansas genius himself, yet amidst the tumbleweed monotony of Austin Night and Californian Sky this becomes a forgettable indulgence. Tiresomely bland, Bastard Sons lack the chiselled edge of the American west and much like the bravely defeated cowboy they can do little else but mosey on out of town. [Billy Hamilton]