Possibly the unluckiest band around, Liverpool indie outfit Shack split in the mid-Nineties following the loss of an album master in a studio fire.

Finally reformed, the band produced indie-pop album HMS Fable in 1999 which, despite containing many surefire catchy anthems, slipped into the Dad-rock category due to its post-Britpop timing.

Halfway through their tour to promote current CD On The Corner Of Miles And Gil, the Brighton show ironically mirrored the band's disastrous career to date.

But when Shack launched into a set of upbeat, jangly numbers reminiscent of The La's, the cruelly sparse audience did a great job of appreciating Fable favourites Pull Together, Comedy and Streets Of Kenny.

However, problems came with forgotten words, vocal strain and a useless lighting technician, though lead singer Michael Head appeared unfazed and made light of the situation with his cheeky Scouse wit.

The vocal problem prevailed when Shack ended with a downbeat encore track instead of the expected high of Natalie's Party.

The whole show, as the band's moniker implies, was badly in need of repair, yet, without the night's setbacks, it wouldn't have been half as entertaining.