BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! Did you hear that? It was massive! Yes, big was definitely better on the most raucous occasion of Letham Nights 47, as we welcomed two widely different but wildly wonderous whizz-bangers of wickedness. Romping, stomping and soul pomping was the order of the night, but we’ll come to all that later.

A rose by any other name might smell as sweet but would she sound as stonkingly brilliant as new LN fave, Irenie Rose? I should coco! As the late spring evening grew in, Irenie serenaded us with her songs of her home island, Lewis (flat and no trees, apparently – pure poetry), and love’s labours lost. If your sense of humour is of a certain warped persuasion then Irenie’s banter is worth the admission alone. When is a chocolate peanut not a chocolate peanut? Go see Irenie and find out. Lovely guitar picking and sweet vocals combined with the best use of loop pedal you’ll see anywhere. Not every rose has its thorn, it would seem. Brill!

And so to the big bit. There were ten of them, I tells ya. TEN! Deep breath then while we introduce the band:
Scott Crawford, Fran Schoppler and Trez Henderson – Vocals
Stewart Bentley – Keys
Phil Rasmussen – Guitar
David Hartley – Bass
Gary Walker – Drums
Alison Hendrey – Trumpet
Alex Chandler – Sax
Dave Scott – Trombone
Yes, the stage was creaking and the horns were speaking as new ska rebels, The Cut Throat Razors, slashed their way through a scorching two sets of funking good tunes, evoking everything from ska to blues to soul. A bit Wigan Casino, a bit Southside Chicago and perhaps even a nod to Belle & Sebastian on third number, Beautiful Day. Yes, the horns were honking, the strings were cronking, the keys were swinging and cymbals pinging (sorry) as 2014’s Best Unsigned Band (Sunday Herald) took our dancing feet here, there, everywhere and back again. If it’s fun times you’re looking for then you should look no further than this gang. BOOM!

Check out The Cut Throat Razors at: thecutthroatrazors.com

Check out Irenie Rose at: missirenierose.com