Ten Men @ Relax coffee shop 09/03/04 By Elsie Creek

An unusual setting for a gig, you may think. I have never seen a live band in a coffee shop before. But on Wednesday night Relax, on Newland Avenue, stayed open past eleven at night to host an atypical performance from the young Hull-based duo known as Ten Men.

In the past couple of months my friends and I have noticed a huge improvement in Ten Men's music. What started out as an unremarkable acoustic twosome is beginning to blossom into something far more exciting. This gig in particular showed off their talent in a way I had not previously seen. Relax, a small, civilised venue, certainly proved a much better setting than the rowdy pubs they usually play. Their material and stage presence had never seemed hugely accessible to drunken audiences, but the coffee shop provided an environment in which people were able to concentrate properly on the music.

Ten Men sat on the "stage", a slightly raised section in front of the window, and looked perfectly at home amongst the potted plants and Beryl Cook artwork. The size of the shop meant that amplification was hardly necessary: there were no mikes, and only Chris's lead guitar was plugged in.

With around thirty people packed onto the squashy leather sofas, there was an air of cosy familiarity. Most of us knew each other, at least by sight, and everyone was soon chatting and mingling. Some people had brought their own alcohol, but generally we made the most of an unusual sobriety. Having to go outside to smoke was a hardship, but it meant we were able to appreciate the warm, smokeless interior all the more.

It was a wonderfully surreal experience, and it is only fair that I should give Relax a bit of a plug. I was in heaven after my first "bucket" of hot chocolate - with lashings of cream, chocolate fingers and Smarties, it was hedonism at its best. They also do a good range of flavoured coffees and herb teas. Prices are reasonable, especially considering how much I would have spent on beer, and the Buddy Card scheme meant I'd got a free drink by the end of the night.

Ten Men chose their set well; they took full advantage of the opportunity offered by the relaxed atmosphere to explore a wide range of genres. Although I was unsure about some of the songs, I couldn't help but be impressed by their repertoire. There were the obligatory favourites such as Faker, Scone and Claims Direct, the last described as . . . a mild attempt at being faintly political . . . It's probably Cracktown's influence - and I'm sure we can thank them for the fact that Holiday now ends with the Raggy Dolls theme! There were also many songs they hadn't previously performed. New tunes went down well: Free & Easy, beautiful, melodic and a touch sentimental, and Spider's Web, which Dave performed alone and which he believes to be the best song he's ever written. My favourite, however, was Money: an attention-grabber with superb lyrics and some startlingly high vocals, it mixed blues with their typical melodic style.

A lot of covers made it into the set as well, from Nirvana's Polly to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here to The Beatles' Lady Madonna . . . I could go on. It was great to hear people singing along with some of the songs; it was such an intimate atmosphere. Free was covered far better than Oasis ever managed, with a real melancholy feel that suited it perfectly. The highlight for me had to be their exceptional version of Moonshadow. It has always been my favourite Cat Stevens' anyhow, but this was magical.

It's interesting to watch Ten Men developing, and finding what works for them. They are still amateur - Chris's voice was suffering from Asylum the night before, and the performance was not entirely polished. Yet it all adds to their charm, and if the progress I've seen so far is anything to go by, the wait will be well worth it. They are two such totally different characters, both personally and musically; it's understandable that they will take time to find their balance. Ultimately, their quirky diversity should give them the edge they need.

There are flashes of it already: when Dave isn't acting like a solo artist and before Chris steals the show with one of his moments of brilliance. Now and then they meet in the middle and combine perfectly. They need to find equilibrium, as they both have so much to offer individually yet can become far greater than the sum of their respective parts.

Jazz and blues seem to work well for them - though the melodic style is pleasant, it doesn't make them stand out. I fear they risk trying too hard to be easy on the ear; you can hear that in their CD single. I have faith in them, though, so they had better not become just another boy band. It's worth paying attention to Ten Men; their current idiosyncratic mode of play is arguably better than the coherence offered by many bigger bands. I have good reason to dread the day they refine their act and lose the asynchronous swaying which typifies them. I'm surely not alone; a great night was had by all and, fingers crossed, next time will be at least as good. Date for your diary: Wednesday 24th March, 8.30 start.

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