Taking a sharp detour from their more genteel, countrified project, Stars Of Track & Field, former Manyeung people Phill Honey and Dave Warrington have set about poaching assorted rock and roll waifs and strays for their rather noisier incarnation, The Rock Of Travolta, like Soulcraft bassist Jon Carter (one of two bassists on duty) and even Moonkat’s Roz Murray for a sly spot of cello playing. Together they sound like a storm brewing.

The Rock Of Travolta are a purely instrumental creation which initially means they draw comparisons with those other heroes of soundscaping, Mogwai. Admittedly there are moments when the two bands do sound uncannily alike - unsurprising given the way they both rely purely on their instruments for their identity - but ultimately The Rock Of Travolta are able to shake off being lumped too firmly in with their Scottish neighbours in sound, creating a sound and an image that is unique to them.

Even with the noticeable absence of their Dancing Death tonight (he’s moved to Canada apparently) TROT are able to hold the audience’s attention visually with plenty of Spinal Tap-style theatrics and there’s some seriously OTT foot-on-monitor action from guitarist ‘Handsome’ Dave. Musically too they are completely mesmerising; there is simply nothing else locally to compare to them. What other band could have a track called ‘I Am Your Father’ which, even devoid of lyrical content, manages to be both comedic and brilliantly unnerving simultaneously?

Unlike too many other Oxford bands at the moment who either don’t seem to care about anything or care far too much about the wrong things, The Rock Of Travolta give hope to a scene that’s at dire risk of total stagnation. On tonight’s showing things might just be alright after all.

Emma Short