Cambridge Junctiion - November 1 A NEWLY revived Cooper Temple Clause rocked into the Cambridge Junction for the last date in their month-long tour. Almost Famous caught up with keyboardist Keiran Mahon and guitarist Tom Bellamy, before the show. It is ob

Cambridge Junctiion - November 1

A NEWLY revived Cooper Temple Clause rocked into the Cambridge Junction for the last date in their month-long tour. Almost Famous caught up with keyboardist Keiran Mahon and guitarist Tom Bellamy, before the show.

It is obvious that the past two years have been a time of massive change for the band, but according to the boys, only good things have come of it. Losing bassist Didz Hammond to Carl Barat's Dirty Pretty Things caused them to examine everything they are as a band, and how both musically and personally, they have been brought closer together.

The new recording contract at Creation, has allowed them more musical creativity, reflected in both their new album Make This Your Own due for release in January 2007, and their live performance.

The Cooper Temple Clause's set was musically fantastic, they have a real technical ability and enviable lyrical creativity. Much of the lyrical side of their new album centres around the erosion of power and corrupt politicians.

Their on-stage presence is intimidating, with lead singer Ben Gautrey having at times an almost demonic look in his eye and a sort of Mona Lisa quality.

Wherever you stood in the crowd, it felt as if he was looking right at you. It was hard to believe that these epitomes of anarchy were really the same, polite, well-mannered men I had been talking to less than an hour before.

Hand-picked support for the entire tour, were up and coming indie rockers, Battle.

The band agreed that this wasn't the most obvious creative pairing.

Battle seem to be much more indie than the Cooper Temple Clause. Both bands said they have had something to learn from the other.

However, Battle do not seem to have the uncontrollable energy of many of today's young bands. Their performance is more than sleek, and their songs have a depth of potential. That this is a much more melodic branch of indie rock was somewhat lost on a crowd, clearly in suspense waiting for the Cooper Temple Clause's set.

These are exciting times for Battle. Their hotly tipped album, Back to Earth received an excellent review from the NME. And their next single Children was described as the hottest record in the world today by Radio 1's ever influential DJ, Zane Lowe.

AMY HODKINSON