Jingle bells. What are jingle bells? I've never met anyone who plays jingle bells; I've met guitarists, drummers, a saxophone player or two but never a jingle bell virtuoso.

Every Christmas though they appear on everything, they are as much Christmas to me as presents and three months worth of roasted bird. But I have no idea what they are.

You have to hand it to jingle bells though; nothing else converts everything it touches quite so quickly. The Death March with jingle bells, that would be 'Christmassy' and

the public would no doubt send it to number one if some novelty act added vocals!

I've no idea where my jingle bell tirade came from, in fact I'm not even sure why it happened but it was in no way due to The Transmission, who played their second London gig on Wednesday, November 21 at the Half Moon in Putney.

This was the gig the band and their expanding fan base wanted, one of those gigs that genuinely left you wanting more and not just shouting it because you'd paid £14 for a ticket. It helped that the Half Moon is such a good

venue but everything the venue couldn't provide the band did. They were confident and assured, sharp, and tighter than a ducks under water bits.

Every song was delivered flawlessly and even tracks I already knew pretty well were fresher than the first time I'd heard them.

They were winning new fans as they went about their business, with more vigour and purpose than before. There was a reflective confidence within the band, the kind that comes from knowing you're on form. For the first time

The Transmission were having fun, free from the pressure of having to be good, they knew they were good.

They've got some excellent songs in their repertoire but two really make me think great things are in store for the band, My Bad Fortune and Sonic have everything I look for in a song and the crowd on the night seemed to agree

with me. What with Mohair and hopefully Curvy Nature soon, the area could be developing a bit of scene' and The Transmission are ready to join in at the highest level.

Talking of Curvy Nature, they played a showcase gig at The Barfly in Camden last Friday, November 23.

They are one of the best bands around and have possibly the tightest harmonies outside of Crosby, Stills and Nash that I've ever heard. I couldn't make it to the gig although I wanted to and was supposed to and apologise to the band for that, but hopefully a full interview with the band detailing where they are and where they're going will be featured soon.

Now the year is coming to a close and one of the best nights of the year is in store for clubbers in these parts thanks to Area in Watford.

This Saturday sees Boy George's first appearance at the club and is sure to be a massive night.

November 26, 2001 18:00