I'm here at the Kings Beach Tavern for Kindread's launch of their CD, 'Free World', and despite a rather chilly July Night, there's a few people milling around. I grab a beer and watch more people roll in, before I go check out Cleveland Blues setting up on stage.

I find out that I've just missed out on Mojo Fiasco's set (apologies mate).

One thing I love about watching any show featuring Cleveland Blues & The Red Eye Junciton is seeing the amps and instruments, battered, scarred and putting out these raw bluesy tones. Cleveland's rig looks like it was pieced together in a back shed, but that doesn't matter, because the tone AND the spirit is there.

Straight into the set, you've got to hand it to this band, they put on a show. They dress the part - I feel like I'm watching Crossroads (the movie about Blues featuring Ralph 'Karate Kid' Macchio and Steve Vai, not the really bad Britney Spears movie) whenever I'm witnessing a Cleveland Blues show.

Kicking off with The Tellerman, it's such a heaving, chugging blues hoedown and the perfect initiation to Cleveland virgins.

Dean's harmonica is crisp and sharp tonight and so fucking bluesy. I later find out that they've experimented with different set-ups and have found that the ol' sock on the microphone trick works.

This is also the first time I've seen the band include a bass player on stage, and bassist Justin blends in nicely, not overpowering the Cleveland sound.

It's a pretty subdued but appreciative crowd at Kings Beach Tavern tonight. Winter is usually the culprit for thinning the numbers, but Cleveland blues still get a few up and dancing, and dammit if I don't say this enough, but bloody hell can Bam Bam hit those skins hard.

Jack and the Giant Killers hit the stage next. They'd probably be best described as a alternative funk sound with roots influences. They're a very tight 4-piece and the second song of the set instantly reminds me of an old Toothfaeries song, Taste (and I'm not the only one who thinks this). Very groovy, flowing, bouncy songs.

But what we're here for tonight is Kindread. This band has been working infinitely hard, refining their sound, pushing their profile and launching their new album 'Free World'.

I first witnessed this band live at Peregian Originals a few weeks back, but being in a club/pub setting, you can get a better feel and idea of the atmospherics and dubby ambience they incorporate into their sound.

Mixing up reggae, roots, and pop sounds with hints of electronica/dub, this is a very tight, well-oiled band that flow and gel together (even with the inclusion of a replacement saxophonist, with their usual sax player on tour with another band - the guy had very little time to learn the songs, but you couldn't really tell).

Brett and Kate's vocals work seamlessly together, and the dynamics between Kate's softer/smoother melodies, and Brett's bouncier style add texture to the already flowing sound. I noticed some tricky little bass trills put in there in a few songs too, which being a bassist myself, I like to see used - it's always a nice surprise.

Their grooves got the dancefloor moving, and once finished, I noticed many a grin on the faces of those getting their groove on.

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