Thank god for era bands or otherwise we wouldn't know what rocked. Tonight's gig started with a brand new group called The Fabergettes who played some upbeat, sassy tunes of their own and a few covers to boot (I’d never heard The Beatles played like that before!).

On the heels of such bands as The Dum Dum Girls, The 5,6,7,8’s and even throwing back to The Shangri La’s, this band rocked the hipster 34B crowd as support. One of the highlights was the song "Hickory Dock" which was dark and cool, slinking along with a beautiful bass line and creeping guitar work. Another highlight was a song with some kickbacks to surf-rock and just overly feel-good, “Hula”, evoking some dreams of Hawaii and tiki bars on the beach. A diverse set list didn’t go astray either. Showing off great writing skills like a heartfelt song dedicated to out of touch friends, and a fun, riotous finale, “Jelly Fight,” the band had it going on from first to last.

Pulling a damn strong crowd and grabbing some great audience participation throughout the set, the lead singer/lead guitarist (and rock vixen) showed where the “fab” in Fabergettes came from, showcased some amazing vocal and guitar chops. To keep the songs together the bass featured heavily, but not out of control, and the shoe gazer guitarist played it as cool as she doubled on xylophone for a tune. Add in their too-cool-for-school sun glassed drummer holding a solid beat these girls (and guy) are something quite special. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, with their distinctive sound that oozes with cool coupled with their ability to give one hell of a show, The Fabergettes not only walk the walk and talk the talk, they definitely sound like being the next Big Thing.

Headliners Betty Airs were up next with a beautifully raucous show. With some serious quiffs and some serious riffs, the four piece kept the crowd moving from word go. Kicking off with “Standing Waiting”, lead singer Cristian belted out some fantastic vocals with his awesomely retro mic, guitarist Darren, of Gerling fame, made sure those guitar hooks did as their description implied and new bass player Patrick rolled out some hammering rhythms that only be matched by the drummer, Michael (who played some beats that Jonathon Boulet would envy). Add some great maraca action and killer on stage presence. I think it was “Dance With Me” that Cristian lead the entire crowd on a spontaneous conga line all around 34b and Q bar, to which I joined in, but I must say was quite difficult when trying to take notes on an iphone.
Playing some of their tunes off their soon to be released EP Creepin’ It Real (and throwing in a Bon Jovi cover for good measure) they kept the mob at 34B rocking until their blasting final track, “She’s The Juan”. I should have brought some earplugs, but hey, if you haven’t got the ringing in your ears, how do you know you’ve been to a gig?

The band have that great lo-fi, surf rock element, which reminded me of a more mature type of rockabilly and tapping into garage and 50s elements, they definitely kept the “era” theme for tonight bands going.