December 17, 2008 10:01

Rascals preview new songs with a little help from John Lennon

Miles Kane and co play London's Scala

The Rascals previewed new material – and covered John Lennon – as they played the London Scala last night (September 16).

The Wirral trio's UK tour had been delayed due to illness, but the band were quick to make up for lost time.

Watched by Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and 'IT Crowd' actor and acclaimed video director Richard Ayoade, The Rascals played songs drawn from their 2008 debut album 'Rascalize', as well as two brand new numbers.

"We just got back off a European tour and we wrote this song in 20 minutes in the back of the van in Germany," frontman Miles Kane told the crowd as he introduced the bass-driven 'Chills And Fever', which built to an intensive crescendo.

The group also played 'Diamond Trip', which started with a mellow and reflective feel, before chunky bass and drums kicked in, lending the track a Beatles-esque feel.

After the crowd moshed to the likes of 'Suspicious Wit' and 'How Do I End This?', the trio played a cover of Echo And The Bunnymen's 'All That Jazz', recorded previously for a film project.

After climaxing the show with 'I'll Give You Sympathy' and 'Is It Too Late?', the band appeared to be leaving the stage. However, Kane stopped and asked: "You into Lennon? You like John Lennon?" before wrapping the gig up with a storming version of the Scouse legend's solo classic 'Instant Karma'.

The Rascals played:

'Out Of Dreams'
'Bond Girl'
'Freakbeat Phantom'
'Does Your Husband Know That You're On The Run?'
'How Do I End This?'
'People Watching'
'Stockings To Suit'
'Fear Invicted Into The Perfect Stranger'
'Chills And Fever'
'Suspicious Wit'
'I'd Be Lying To You'
'Better In The Shadows'
'Diamond Trip'
'All That Jazz'
'I'll Give You Sympathy'
'Is It Too Late?'
'Instant Karma'