Zutons review

Working backwards chronologically through all the stuff I've been up to, first of all...

The Zutons.

I went to see them at Cardiff Student Union, 10/10/04, which was a really good venue. It got very busy in there (the Bristol gig had sold out, so there was some seepage), but the sound was still good and the temperature stayed at least bearable.

Can't remember the name of the support band, but I do remember that they were from Sunderland, which seemed oddly important to them. Despite this handicap, they were really good, sounding a bit like the Clash or the Jam, and very energetic.

The Zutons came on reasonably punctually (!), and played an excellent set. They're kind of indescribable to be honest - you're best bet is to go and track down some MP3s and see if you like them, but even then every song is different. The vocalist reminded me of a young Roger Daltrey, and the saxophone player was great, so describing them as a slightly jazzy rock sound would probably be reasonably accurate.

I'm never too good with song titles either, so I'm probably not the best reviewer :) Try "You Will You Won't", or better still, go along and see the yourself :P

The Wi Wong

Seeing as I just enthused about the Zutons, now I should be a proper reviewer and be scathing.

Soooo.... the Wi Wong. It can be found at the bottom of Gloucester Street in Stroud, and admittedly was our second choice after the excellent Hong Kong Kitchen at the top of the High Street was closed.

As my brother pointed out, "wong" must be chinese for "bother". I'd give the Chinese credit for more syllabic thriftiness, and upgrade that to a "f*cking bother". The vegetable chow mein was cold and greasy, and the chilli shredded beef looked (and probably tasted) like semi-frozen dogfood.

We would have gone to complain, but we all felt too sick.

One tiny glimmer in their favour is that their spring rolls are obviously handmade, and rather tasty with it. Otherwise, just go to the top of the High Street instead.