Lady Mercedes @ Whistlebinkies

The Raconteurs, The Black Crowes, Aerosmith: all bands who have scaled the heights of the music world with a brand of dirty blues rock so wonderfully perfected by the likes of Cream and Zeppelin. If Lady Mercedes want to scale those same heights, they're going to have to add their own twist to a well trodden path. The music is first rate: real good electric blues rock, resplendent with blues harp and all. All the elements are there, from the constant motion engine room drumming of Phil Collingbourne to the rasping wail of lead singer Brett MacIntosh, they even have the bar room brawler I-wear-make-up-but-if-you-call-me-a-girl-I'll-smack-you attitude. The only thing missing is the little spark of originality which catapulted bands like the 'Crowes from clubs like Whistlebinkies to stadiums throughout the land. Lady Mercedes are one of the best, most musically astute blues rock bands witnessed by these ears in some time, the only problem is they've heard it somewhere before. [Angus Ross]