Yesterday was a day of gig hopping. First up was a trip to RoTa in Notting Hill. These Rough Trade endorsed afternoons have been running for about 8 years now. I used to be a frequent Saturday afternoon attendee. It's a great little idea. 3 or 4 bands for free in an 'Arts Centre' often curated by small labels/promoters. Yesterday's it was the turn of Smalltown America. The line up consisted of three bands - Alan MX, Q Without U and Pocketbooks.

I went down this afternoon to catch Pocketbooks. I had seen the band a fair few times before with mixed results. They were sometimes brilliant and sometimes shambolic. This was the first time I have seen the band with new guitarist Ian (he of The Cut Outs and London promoters Spiral Scratch). And it seems the band have come a long long way in the past few months. This current line up is delivering indiepop with a 60s flavour and they are delivering it with a high degree of style. Vocals from both Emma and Andy have improved greatly and the songs seem to have a much snappier feel. I've always liked Pocketbooks, but I think this was the first time I can say that as a live act the whole set worked for me. I can't put my finger on exactly where the improvement has sprung from - I would guess it would be down to growing confidence and a solid drum beat. I think 2008 could be a very good year for Pocketbooks.

After the afternoon show I hot footed it across London to catch a Guided Missile night at the Buffalo Bar. They'd put together a night that screamed nostalgia for me. For on the bill was Adrian R. Teenbeat, Ricky Spontane and Zombina and her Skeletones. All bands I used to see a lot back 6 or 7 years ago - especially at the Bull and Gate in Kentish town.

Adrain R. Teenbeat was performing a solo spot this evening. Which invariably meant, him and a acoustic guitar and some rather witty songs that rely heavily on his northern charm (being a native from Lancashire). It all seems a little lost on the crowd, which is a shame, as we get songs about getting a hard on in the gard-on (Hard On) and songs about, a young lass with bulimia (Urina). Adrian's usual dry and occasionally sick wit shining through at all times. I've missed seeing him on the London gig circuit.

If that wasn't enough tonight saw the return of Ricky Spontane. Another band I saw all the time a fair few years ago. The last time being back in 2003 (I think). It seems singer Richard moved to France and that made the band a hard thing to maintain. So I was surprised and delighted when I saw the bands name on the bill for this evening. The band duly delivered a resounding set, drummer Talya is still the most fun I have seen behind a drumkit. Guitarist Stephen Wood was always under-rated and tonight the songs (that I've not heard in years) coming flooding back to me and the guitar sounds great. It's weird I've never managed to own a Ricky Spontane LP but I seemed to know most of the songs in the set last night. Singer Richard still bounds around the stage like a man possessed. Ricky Spontane are a great live band. I am glad they are back.

I was feeling tired by now and decided to skip Zombina and her Skeletones - so no review of them this time around.