Bands from far afield rub shoulders with local stars as Hitchin’s Club 85 offers an international bill

There’s a decidedly international feel to the bill at Hitchin’s Club 85 tomorrow night, and enthusiastic promoter Roger King can’t wait for it all to come together.

He says: “We’ve got great bands from Portugal and Canada, both of whom are currently touring Europe, alongside a couple of cracking locals.”

The Portugese portion of the menu is served up by Ash Is A Robot – no, we have no idea either – who have been criss-crossing the continent in recent years to build up a reputation as a live band not to be missed.

Their new set list is, they say, a little more prog rock in feel compared to the music that stemmed from their alternative/post hardcore roots. If that sounds intriguing, then here’s the chance to check them out.

Also on the bill are Canadian ‘neo-nerd’ rockers Double Experience, who have a new album to push.

They’re not quite strangers to this neck of the woods, having cropped up on the BBC Introducing stage at last year’s Rhythms of the World festival at Hitchin Priory, where their high tempo melodic rock was hailed as one of the highlights of the weekend.

Foxfield won’t have far to go to join these international visitors on the bill. The Hitchin-based band – who Roger says ‘started their lives like Muse’s angrier younger brothers, but have since moved on into more anarchic territory embracing gritty alternative rock and metal’ – launched an EP at the Whinbush Road venue in January with a performance that went down a storm.

Completing the line-up are Hitchin hard rockers Electric Black, who need no excuse to crank the amps up to 11 to get their gritty sound across.

Tickets are £6 in advance or £8 on the door, and it all kicks off from 7.45pm. Visit www.club-85.co.uk for more details and to check out what else is coming up.