Miss Black America @ The Swamp @ Caledonian Backpackers

Miss Black America are a heavy rocking English four-piece who have carved out their career thus far on a religious gigging schedule interrupted only to concentrate on writing their debut album. Tonight they played with ferocious intensity, but failed to set passions blazing in the hearts of the crowd. Unfortunately, the characteristic that they most closely share with the stereotypical beauty queen is not a good one; everything goes well till you listen to what they have to say. Aside from their recent single Drowning By Numbers, the quality of songs didn't match the energy and drive of their performance. They certainly weren't helped by some technical hitches and you couldn't fault the passion and belief displayed but tonight they didn't quite hit the heights of hard-hitting rock they aspire to. [Dave Reid]