Abe Vigoda @ Cargo, London

It’s a fairly brisk October evening in the east end of London, and in the various rooms of superclub Cargo stand various solitary male figures, all sheepishly nursing pints and waiting for Californian post punkers Abe Vigoda to take the stage.

Inside the main hall, the room’s only half full – strange considering the band have just released their fourth album Crush, also their most accessible to date. A departure from its tropically infused predecessor Skeletons, it focuses more on searing synth arrangements and Juan Velazquez’s adopted Bowie vocals.

A quiet nod of appreciation washes over the room as they play blissfully sharp and punky takes on ‘Throwing Shade’ and ‘Crush’, while ‘Pure Violence’ is all poignance and mood.

The metamorphosis of their recent material into Low-era Bowie territory and Bunnymen stylings shows that the band aren’t afraid to keep themselves developing. This is hammered home when towards the end, singer Juan apologises for not playing any numbers from Skeletons; ”it’s just not what we’re about anymore” he says, before ploughing into the final number that seals the coffin on the past.

More bands should take heed and concentrate on airing new material rather then playing it safe with a compilation-like live set. Hats off to them, tonight was a treat for those who turned up.