Back in my favourite cellarful of noise and seeing as headliners, Goon, have swapped LA for Manchester rain it would be rude not to check them out wouldn’t it? Sadly, the billed support act, the wonderfully C86-tastic Autocamper are out of action due to injury.

In their place at very short notice we’re in for a different kind of Manic Pop Thrill in the shape of fellow Mancs, Holly Head. They’re new to me and as I’m a bit crestfallen at the no-show of ‘ver Camper, they’re going to have to work hard to get me grooving in my anorak. It doesn’t take long and, from the off, they’re an explosion of speedy math-rock riffs and wired, kinetic energy. There is constant movement on stage, but it’s not flashy, nor is it agressive. If they had a shave and got some sharp suits it could almost be Talking Heads level of precision, albeit with a big dose of furious grit and grizzle at the state of things in our damp, bewildered little island. The vocalist almost gets an on the-spot-fine from me for going for the dreaded Sprechgesang at times but perhaps more in the spirit of Happy Mondays, or even manc veterans Dub Sex than the Idle Sleaford Yard (and fortunately they can also sing properly).

Think Black Midi without the bad jokes and inverted commas, or maybe early A Certain Ratio being shot out of a cannon. All scatter shot rhythms, lightning fast guitars, a bassist who plays like a polyrhythmic human sequencer – it’s dazzling but again, not showy. There is texture too, the songs are underpinned with washes of heavily treated guitar echoes and synth fx that add a touch of Big Music ambience underneath. There’s lot of variation in tempo and dynamic too, but everything is played like their lives depend on it. It has….impact.

If I was writing for Louder Than War I’d be now fishing for a volley of superlatives but suffice to say – as the young kids near me declaim.. they’re “sick” and win over what is a respectable sized crowd for a miserable Tuesday night. Hooray for Holly Head.

Next up, the headliners Goon are a hard to categorise combo. They’re a bit dream pop, a bit shoegaze, a bit grungey with intricate chords and a habit of meandering into unusual musical corners. Kenny Becker sings in a high register, a little like Jonathan from Mercury Rev or in that high tenor range of Green Gartside even. Musically they recall the underrated brilliance of Pale Saints, Lush or latter day baroque popsters like Peel Dream Magazine. But they can also surprise you by rocking out and can lurch from that choirboy whisper to gutteral screaming in a heartbeat – suggesting a penchant for hardcore punk and thrash too. Cor. Although they have a powerhouse of a drummer behind them, they dazzle with a more cerebral and intricate approach compared to the pyrotechnics of the support act. Samples, loops and occasional keys all add to the mix that elevates them above being mere neo-shoegazers

This is their first Manchester gig and first time in the UK but they’ve already got a bit of a fanbase – enough for some cheers of recognition and everywhere you look there are heads gently bopping. Although the music at times takes you up on ethereal clouds of complex chord changes, you’re never far from a bit of rock action as their guitar necks swoop down for burst of riffage and excitement just to wrong-foot you from getting too blissed out.

Kenny also reveals the source of the humming sound that plagues every guitarist that plays in the basement…turns out it’s something to do with the electrified railway above the venue (Who knew? Seems everyone at the front knew that but I didn’t!). Anyway, go see them if you get chance, or have a listen to their new LP the excellent ‘Dream 3′. Goon will make you swoon