THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT + THAT'S NOT UR CAT + THE NUDIE PICS - Dracula Parrot, Folkestone June 20th 2026
75 photos from a fine frolic!
The Spike Direction Effect
That’s Not Ur Cat
The Nudie Pics
Let me take you back to Argosy Lane in Stanwell, practically within peering distance of Heathrow Airport’s cargo area, during the mid-60’s where a seven or eight year old Mick and some friends are gathered excitedly in front of a tall wire gate. This was the era where your parents were shocked and almost indignant to find you inside the house, and we all diligently did our best to avoid parental control. Today we were determined to explore one of those weird little electricity sub-station things, located in a small road that snaked round the back of a row of shops.
Piling things up to clamber upon and then over the gate, tearing jumpers and probably skin on the twisted metal at the very top we dropped down inside this coveted area and quite understandably found it to be remarkably underwhelming, until one of us (identities are protected by my memory totally failing) came out of the unlocked tiny wooden shed also there and blurted, “bare ladies!” We all followed him back inside the tiny establishment and gazed confused at the colour pinups adorning the walls, that we knew we weren’t supposed to be staring at. Naturally we told everyone at school and this became a very popular destination. I like to think that a whole new generation of electricians was spawned thanks to our tireless efforts.
The Nudie Pics seen tonight are already stroking the air vigorously when I arrive. and this is the second week running my bus has been late so I’ll be going for the earlier one on Thursday when they have an electronic extravaganza. The Nudie Pics are a duo, as the keener-eyed of you may have noticed. Upright thumping drums and a bass savaged like Wilko Johnson’s ghost was in the room with us. Except tonight the sound was actually a little cooler and smoother than usual, with less of a vocal rasp from Adam and a little less musical fury. Probably the weather, we’re all dead hot, even though the Parrot is very cool, being a basement bar. The catchy elements come through strongly and they make a lot of new friends. The light is a bit weird though, the eerie green one making Sam look like she’s in an episode of Stingray!
See what I mean? The green and woozy pink light does seem to dissipate during the evening, which is a good thing, although it takes a while before That’s Not Ur Cat get going because of an amp problem, which is heroically resolved when the singer of The Spike Direction Effect lends them one he finds in his back pocket. Hurrah!
Hydration break!
That’s Not Ur Cat get to do a shorter set than planned but pack it with variety, starting off in an r’n’b storm and then whooshing through a punk-infused maelstrom including covers I don’t recognise, one of which gets The Spike Direction Effect’s singer excited enough to start dancing wildly. The grizzly bear in the shirt that sings unveils a richly soulful voice at times so that one moment it’s like Dr John on speed, and other times the guitarist wields funky lines that conjure up a rare fragrance of early Steely Dan, and I have no idea why that is happening. They’re a strange band worth your investigative time. I suggest you begin with the bandcamp link.
The Spike Direction Effect are meant to be a trio but until the penultimate song, when the bassist from That’s Not Ur Cat lends her assistance, they’re down to a duo, the talismanic bass propped respectfully up against the wall.
Just like That’s Not Ur Cat we have here a band with a variety of punk-fuelled blues and odd shape-shifting, meaning the set sizzles with surprises. One moment we could be in a New Orleans bar, the next we’re back in Folkestone hearing what The Buzzcocks might have been if fed through a garage blender. It’s potent stuff, with the gregarious host dominating the stage before his explosive arsenal of a drummer. As the set nears a close they gain a temporary bassist for a song which comes roaring through like 1977 period Motorhead, and then they finish as a duo with a slide guitar bonanza.
Quite a night. All relevant urls now follow, along with dozens more photos. Have fun, just as I did.
THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT- Facebook
THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT - Bandcamp
THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT - Insta
THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT - Youtube
THE NUDIE PICS
THAT’S NOT UR CAT
THE SPIKE DIRECTION EFFECT
