Note this band note this band! There is no way of saying how important they are and will be to the North East music scene, let alone the world. This Ain’t Vegas are the new Q and not U or the new At The Drive-In, perhaps. They don’t sound exactly like Q and not U, but the influence is obvious without the material actually being plagiarist. Yeah perhaps they’re not like that to some people, but I haven’t been as wildly excited about a band since those mentioned above. The way they view punk rock at a 36 degree angle and then start pelting off their home grown lyrical genius, socially commentating in a non-condescending manner, means that they could just be the most important band Sunderland has ever birthed.

If you are one of the lucky few who was able to get their hands on (one of the most beautifully designed and pressed) the Jealous Records 7”, then you’ll know that ‘Funeral on Tuesday’ is fuelled with teenage pent-up energy, inner integrity, and an eye for the behavioural tendencies of “the kids” when they go to shows. It’s a tribute to their potent mix of angst, irony and beautiful sincerity, that they can express all of them in such an exciting way.

This Ain’t Vegas have style, and aren’t afraid of confrontation. They have drawn on growing up with the intention of escaping, and the influences of DIY shows and the people who curate and are fundamental in the progression of local music cultures. If you are foolish enough not to seek them out whilst they tour with Q and not U, you’re missing what could be the best band from Sunderland you’ll ever see, not to mention one of Dischord’s finest bands - surely a fool…