CARTER USM (The Furnace, Dublin)

THE DAYS when a hit single and being flanked on Top Of The Pops by six big-biceped men guaranteed snaking queues round the corner are now, unfortunately, long gone.

It’s a fact that seemingly isn’t lost on Jim-Bob and Fruitbat who tonight bear all the hallmarks of men trying to get the party started but ultimately going through the motions.

They’re not helped by a dozen or so drunken Cro-Mags down the front who persist on shouting ‘You fat bastard’ every time the P.A. drops below jumbo-jet level and crowd control operatives who reckon that enjoying yourself is a hanging offence.

The good news, though, is that with their somewhat arthritic drum-machine now consigned to the second-hand shop, Carter USM have a real live tub-thumper – Hiya, Wes – who gives ‘After The Watershed’, ‘Sheriff Fatman’ and all the other old faves an added rhythmic dimension. The lads also manage to get funky for the first time in their lives on the new ‘Young Offenders Centre’ and the suitably riotous cover of Shampoo’s ‘We’re In Trouble’ is likely to be coming to a B-side near you any day now.

This evening’s little soiree was far from being a classic but with a few more bodies in the gaff, you feel that Carter might still be able to throw one hell of a knees-up.

• Stuart Clark