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Gig Review

The Actionettes
A Decade A Go Go London, 100 Club

Article written by Ged M - Oct 25, 2010

On a Saturday night in central London, with lots of clubland competition, it’s still a healthy-sized crowd that assembles to celebrate 10 years of the Actionettes. There’s a discernable feeling of community, a sense of collective purpose, that you sense as you watch sixty women learning to dance to Dusty during the lesson that kicks off the Actionettes’ A Decade A Go Go. All different shapes, with maybe a decade or two between the oldest and youngest, they still move in impressive unity to the 60s Springfield tune. They look good too; while the men opt for the ‘alternative’ (i.e. scruffy) look, the distaff side (more than half the crowd) have scrubbed up for the occasion, which, this being the Actionettes, occasion it is.

An Actionettes’ event is part gig, part party. The fourth wall between those on stage and off it is removed; everyone’s a fan of this particular music, the distinction being that the Actionettes have worked out how to demonstrate their love for Motown, Nancy Sinatra and the Ronettes in a more show-offy fashion. After a roll call of old and new Actionettes by tonight’s compere, Banjo Debbie Smith, the ladies themselves take the stage. For their tenth anniversary show they have the style – ultra-glam dresses and architectural hairstyles – and some well-rehearsed moves (though the cage dancing is best for anyone who prefers a more burlesque style, or prison movies...). They’re joined by Piney Gir for a couple of their signature tunes, a blast of 'Heatwave' and the inimitable 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' (some of those boots have been walking ten years as that song is one of my first Actionette memories). It's not all dancing though; the brilliant Betty & The Werewolves play a set of febrile punk-pop almost, but not quite, as great as that white-hot Indietracks appearance and which reminds me that their record is one of the year’s best. The abiding sense is of good music, good humour and good fun – not a bad combo to take into their second decade.

Links:
http://www.actionettes.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theactionettes