Well here I am in sunny Hastings. Sitting in 'The Street' bar, having a few beers, preparing myself for a Saturday night in Hastings very own alternative club, The Crypt. I am here to see Jacknife Lee. This is, lead singer, Garrett Lee's new dance funk band, which is now his new occupation since departing from his old band Compulsion.

Now, before we go any further, Jacknife Lee is not Compulsion. Compulsion was a Punk Alternative Metal band with an art house edge. Jacknife Lee takes keyboards, guitars, funk bass, decks, moogs, and just about anything else you can think of to create a sound, and converts it into a funk groove dance experience. They then put it all together and come up with a sound that you would think was impossible to do live. With a musical mix like this I was intrigued to see what they were all about.

Very nice, Mr Lee!
Finally getting my act together I entered the Crypt at about 10pm and made myself comfortable. Jacknife Lee took to the stage about half an hour later and started into their set. With their second song in they didn't waste anytime about playing their hit tune Cookies, as featured on the Human Traffic soundtrack. Garett Lee, front man for Jacknife Lee, seemed to be all over the place. One minute he was singing, next he was playing a guitar, and then he was playing the keyboard and fiddling with a Moog. One thing you can't say is that he isn't talented. The crowd seemed to think so too!
Burton's will be calling soon, Mr Lee!

I have to admit, I was impressed with Jacknife Lee. I had only ever heard them recorded before and was amazed at how they pulled it all off live. In fact they sound a lot better live than they do on their recordings. That's not to put them down at all its just the recordings sound very sequenced. By comparison their live act was tight, well performed and interesting to watch. If you do get the chance to see them I advise you check them out.

Jacknife Lee's new album 'Punk Rock High Roller' is available now. You can hear little of Jacknife Lee in our Music section.