Watching LOTP play a selection of tracks from their debut album Fantasy Black Channel in Fopp, on a damp afternoon in Notts was certainly an enjoyable way of spending some free time, quite apparent by the sizable crowd who turned up to see the album launch set. The frighteningly young 4 piece outfit from Castle Donington have an off the wall sound, like a mash up of artists and bands like Eno, Zappa and Metronomy, the electro themes and heavy synth use are strong influences running through their music.

Having prepared by listening to a couple of tracks on their myspace page and the only single I could get my hands on (The Bears Are Coming) it was impressive to see how much better LOTP sounded live, even given the constraints of playing in a (large) shop and slightly wayward sound levels. The band's youthful exuberance charmed the audience and lead singer Samuel Eastgate confidently talked the crowd through their outlandish set, even indulging in an attempt at some amusing subliminal messaging during one track - Synth crash - silence - "Buy this Album" - Synth crash.

The stand out songs of the set were a virtuoso performance of Bathroom Gurgle (with water sounds) and a thrashingly loud The Bears Are Coming which has Samuel drumming on what appeared to be planks of wood suspended at the back of their impromptu stage (something I will admit to missing on the single).

Overall an eccentric but entertaining and lively performance from the lads from Donington, who are clearly on the up and should be checked out sooner rather then later.

Photos by Dom Henry (c)

Late Of The Pier played at Fopp in Nottingham on Tuesday August 5 2008.

Late of the Pier on myspace

Live: Late of the Pier