Auction For The Promise Club

There's a mixed crowd here at Jalouse tonight. Some are gathered here to view the fashion show as part of London Fashion Week, the rest of us are here to witness the emerging talent of Cornwall's, Auction For The Promise Club.

This venue is more akin to Paris Hilton et al swanning around it, quaffing champagne and throwing money at the ( hideously overpriced ) bar, than it is to hosting gigs. Hence the band are set up, squeezed in between the fixed tables and chairs at the back of the room.

The band and the fashion show are about to begin in tandem, the band being the accompanying music for the evenings proceedings. There's a sense of anticipation in the air as the band kick off with the excellent 'Fall In'. A walkway circles the dancefloor, and we watch as a procession of tall, malnourished women walk out in front of the band and strut around the catwalk wearing seemingly increasingly bizzare outfits as the evening goes on.

The band themselves are a powerful three piece comprising of brother and sister, Toby (drums) and Zoe - White Chambers ( vocals/guitar ) and Perran Tremewan ( lead guitar/keyboards ). With a little help from some pre-programmed keyboards, the three of them produce a massive multi-layered guitar driven sound reminiscent of early 90's indie gods, Ride and Curve.

Toby's powerful drumming propels the richly combined guitars, and Zoe's beautiful voice ranges from sweet whisper on songs such as 'Tick Tock', to Soaring, on the awesome 'Under China'. The latter having the kind of chorus that gets right under your skin, then implants itself in your head and won't let go. This will be the lead track on the soon to be released EP - 'One'.

Bearing in mind the main focus tonight is on the fashion show, the band don't seem fazed at all, and rightfully get a round of applause after each song. None more so than after the infectious set closer 'See Through', a track which races along carried by a repetitively catchy guitar riff.

The fashion show comes to a close. As far as the clothes go, I'm not sure we'll be seeing women walking down the high st wearing basques made out of Lego, or strutting their stuff on the dancefloor with a 1ft long wooden Pinnocio doll hanging from their waist ( I kid you not ), but i don't pretend to understand the fickle world of fashion!

Auction then get a chance for another short set without distractions, and it's clear they've won over the fashionistas as most of the crowd brave the bar prices ( £6 for a bottle of beer ! ) and stick around to hear them play four more songs, including a brand new as yet untitled track and the rousingly upbeat set closer 'Dependant' ( Also a feature of the forthcoming EP )

Having not yet released a record, Auction for the Promise Club have already forged themselves such a reputation as a live force to be invited to play an exclusive gig here as part of London Fashion Week. With their fresh slant on indie guitar driven rock, combined with the haunting vocals and stunning good looks of Zoe,word is already out about these guys. So go and catch them live in a small venue soon while you still have the chance.

Setlist;

Fall in
Awake
Church Street
Tick Tock
Dancer
Mischief
If
Under China
See through

Untitled
Under China
Dancer
Dependant

check the band out here .......