Sounds of Sweden: Vapnet and Skeleton Bob @ Nice n' Sleazys

A Glasgow outlet for "Scandinavia's finest purveyors of pop", this particular 'Sounds of Sweden' gives Gothenburg's Vapnet their Scottish debut. In support come local trio Skeleton Bob, whose gentle, country-tinged reflections give us Americana viewed through a Glaswegian's pint-glass. Despite no Swedish connection they give the night's theme a nod, upping the tempo with a cover of Abba's 'Mamma Mia'. Despite some monitor problems threatening to scupper their gig, Vapnet eventually follow, the sextet easily filling Sleazys' small stage. Offering a broad musical palette, at various points they combined flute, acoustic and electric guitar, melodica, trumpet, sax, triangle and xylophone, all atop an electronic drumbeat. An off-hand comparison could be made with earlier Belle and Sebastian output. An inquisitive request for some lyric interpretation helpfully reveals that they touch upon low-self esteem, bullying and unrequited love and this certainly matches the outfit's somewhat vulnerable sound. [Colin Chapman]