Despite the fact that jazz outfit Sonarfly is still relatively unknown, the band has managed to build up a surprisingly loyal fan base writes Kerry McQueeney.

The Braithewaite Hall at the Croydon Clocktower was packed with painfully pretentious students and hardcore jazz enthusiasts last Friday (November 16).Sonarfly, a five-piece band from South London with guitarist Dan Smith hailing from our very own Croydon, were billed as a "unique blend of jazz, funk, blues and all-out rock".

But unfortunately for the band, the ridiculously-high sound levels not only distorted the structure of the group's sound but it was impossible to decipher any kind of tune or lyric. The only thing I could hear were my ear drums vibrating and the occasional wail from lead singer Shingai Shoniwa.

This band were last year's winner of the Unsigned Unsealed award, but it was just a pity that I couldn't hear for myself exactly why they won this accolade.

November 21, 2001 16:30