I recently discovered the new band I Am Vexed and I personally think you should be checking them out.

I know Bruno Hobbs as a recent member of the Riverside Youth Theatre and had heard he comes from a talented family, but wasn’t aware of how talented until we became facebook friends and I discovered his band in which he joins forces with his older brother Ben (also a former Riverside member).

I must admit, I was a little taken aback. It’s good stuff. Very good stuff.

For me it’s ‘quirky’ and that’s what made it stand out. I think, with my limited knowledge of musical genres the technical term is ‘Indie’, though I stand to be corrected if need be!

I played a couple of the songs from their facebook page and was immediately hooked.

Bruno sings the verses – I say ‘sings’, but actually he sort of ‘talks’ them, which is what makes the whole thing jump out as different and worth a listen. Ben then joins in by singing the chorus with some rather nifty guitar as well.

Combine this ‘sort of talk thingy’ with interesting lyrics, great musical ability, catchy melodies and professional sounding production and you have some excellent songs, each unique and yet instantly recognisable.

Ben and Bruno have written half a dozen or so singles between them and I’m eagerly awaiting more. I strongly suggest you check them out. I Am Vexed are definitely going places!

As a fan I get regular updates and invites to gigs, so when I found out they were playing in Kentish Town last week, I was very pleased. I was in London anyway, having spent the day with my nephew, so it was great for us to go a few stops up the Northern Line and easily find the ‘Bull and Gate’.

We went into the bar and asked about the live music, expecting a corner somewhere, but were told: “Through the Gents, mate.” So, feeling a little like Alice, ‘through the Gents’ we went, and discovered a whole new part of the building!

The guys put on a great show and though short (as often these gigs are because three or four new bands are booked for one night) it was well worth going. And for four quid, you can’t go wrong can you?

They have also recently released a video for their single ‘Be Wise’ which was made, not incidentally, by their also much talented, former Riverside member, and indeed brother, Leo.

This too is ‘quirky’, but brilliant, and I love it! The video has just reached the semi-finals of the Babelgum Video Competition and I strongly suggest you have a watch and vote for it!

I found with the Babelgum video player that once you have (very easily) downloaded and installed it, it’s not clear how to vote for the video.

However, I did find that when I played the video again, on a different day, a long box comes up across the bottom and invites you to vote simply by clicking. Very easy. It then informs you you can vote as many times as you like, but will only allow you to do so once per day.

So here’s a few links for you. Go check them out. You’ll be pleased you did. I certainly am!

I Am Vexed on facebook
I Am Vexed on myspace

Their single ‘Did You Want My Axe?’ is available from Life and Living Records – ‘Did You Want My Axe?’ c/w ‘Spider On My Neck’ by I Am Vexed, complete with cover artwork and FREE BONUS VIDEO of ‘Be Wise’! – £1.50

Oh and don’t forget to be wise (ha ha) and VOTE for their video. Closing date is Jan 27th – Get voting NOW!

And lastly (as if I haven’t plugged these guys enough!), I’ve just accepted an invite to watch them playing LIVE again, this time at the Boileroom in Guildford on Monday February 16th! (Doors open 7pm)

- Try and get there if you can. Definitely well worth it!