Planet Notion - Gym Class Heroes/Barfly/Camden/September 7th

Voluminous hairstyles and tight jeans. Yes, the broccoli look is well and truly in force tonight. It’s almost like being an 80s throwback, what with classic AOR songs, such as ‘More Than a Feeling’ and ‘Here Comes Your Man’ providing the pre-show backdrop to this sold-out gig. That is, until you realise that Gym Class Heroes sound nothing like classic US AOR. Granted, singer Travis’ commands to raise a pinkie finger…and dance your ass off to the (next) song reveals more than a hint of US-schlock. As does his constant checks to make sure everyone is having a good time. But it’s all done with good humour and the band certainly has a rapport with the (mainly teenage) fans, who’re more than happy to be “down with it”. GCH are here to promote their new album ‘As Cruel As School Children’. While not a radical departure, it is still a feel-good mix of rap-rock and more like a continuation of the previous ‘Papercut Chronicles’. “I have a problem with a certain website, Travis declares. “I call it an addiction…I need help…” Any doubts as to what site Travis is referring to, are dispelled by the MySpace logo displayed on guitarist Disashi’s t-shirt. But all the die-hard fans already knew that – hell, half of them are probably already on the band’s friend list anyway. Other “addictions” injected into the show include “Pill-matic” (“for the kids with tha chemicals”) while “tha sexy ladies” get not one, but two treats in the form of ‘Make Out Club’ and ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’. Returning to the chants of “GCH!” ensures an airing of ‘Snakes On a Plane (Bring It)’, the band’s collaborative foray into motion picture soundtracks. Before too long the night ends on a rather tame note – a far cry from the excited riot at