There’s something of a change in both mood and tempo with Protex, another group of Norn iron veterans who are probably the closest this little corner of the Überverse came to wannabe glunk superheroes who never quite were there (and I don’t mean that in any kind of derogatory way). Their clever use of interchanging lead vocals and big vocal harmonies accentuates their punky riffs and power pop sensibilities, while their well-crafted melodies are the main focus, the tasty hooks backed up with solid rhythms.

Again proving that they’re not happy to live on past glories, they follow a dive right back to 1987, with ’Place In Your Heart’, by bringing things smack up to date with ‘Can’t Figure You Out’ from their forthcoming new album. In between the generation-spanning set, which sees Aidan Murtagh reminisce about the heady days of the Harp Bar (the now demolished one that once stood next door to the venue not the pale tourist-trap imitation across the street), there are a couple of needless if appreciated covers, but these do not detract from the overall impact of the set, which is highlighted by the clear reinvigoration displayed by Gordie Walker behind the kit.

UBER-ROCK