Don't let the name put you off. Go directly to the next David Devant And His Spirit Wife gig. Their instant pop is waiting to seduce you.

Songs such as Ginger, which reached Number 56 in the charts five years ago after Radio One DJs Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe included it on their playlists, is a storming glam-rocker.

It has one of those unforgettable hooks you hear on Top Gear on TV, charged with urgency and bravado.

In fact, the whole set had the kind of crashing vibrancy you would want for a reunion in the lads' hometown.

This show sold out six weeks in advance and, on the night, the venue fizzed with the excitement of kids rediscovering their favourite toy.

After a bad experience with a record company, David Devant are back playing one-off dates such as this one.

The audience is given a different visual treat such as films, slide shows and theatrical props at each gig.

After the show, the band's lead singer, Mikey Georgeson aka The Vessel, told me they are now "staying true to themselves" and enjoying making music again.

But Mikey added he would love to be on Top Of The Pops. Certainly, his songs deserve a wider audience.

The power-pop muscle of this band would not sound out of place alongside the likes of Ash or the Manic Street Preachers.

They take The Kinks, Bowie and the late Ian Dury as inspiration and The Spirit have developed into a Levi's-tight, glam-punk unit.

Delighting the crowd with such singalong favourites as the celebratory of Work, Lovelife and Miscellaneous, David Devant can't fail to make new fans on this form.

The music-hall witticism of Pimlico comes complete with a Steve Marriott-style vocal reminiscent of The Small Faces' Lazy Sunday.

They love to engage with their audience directly. As Mikey said: "It's all about taking chances but saying: 'We're human'."

He might have added they also enjoy poking fun at themselves and at rock stardom at the same time.

Their film shows, which build on this tongue-in-cheek atmosphere before the rocking starts, have the surreal air of Vic Reeves or Buster Keaton.

David Devant can be hit and miss: Witty but, at times, too clever by half but I think it's the raunchy, English, pop sensibility of that demands your attention.

Don't let this local band believe cult status is all they can aspire to.

In fact, ask them why they don't play live more often.

By Andy Fisher