Sometimes there's nothing quite as satisfying as taking time out from life and holing up with a band in a pub on a Friday night. Especially if the band in question is as beat-happy and popsmart as Snout. And it's worth trekking to the revamped Waterloo, even if it's outside the comfort zone of Valley clubs - it's a decent-sized space and it's starting to attract a few of the bigger names on the national circuit.  

If the Superjesus faced a few too many Baby Animals comparisons when they started out, it's Honeyfix who probably have more in common with the latter band. Also from Adelaide, they plug a melodic strain of rock, with a focus on big riffs and choruses. Arrangements might be at something of an allsorts stage, but if one of their final songs is any indication - with its attention to harmony above volume - we'll be hearing from this crowd again.  

My soft spot for the boys from Snout seems to get a little larger every time I see them. (Really? - Ed) They're obviously tired tonight (they've just completed a national tour with Ben Folds Five and are about to embark on another with The Cruel Sea), but they still know how to put on a good show. These are three chaps who are absolutely married to their instruments; it seems like the stage is their natural home.  

But all the showmanship in the world doesn't take away from the importance of having good songs - and Snout have a whole bundle of those. There's plenty to draw on: all the old riff-based tunes like 'What's That Sound?'; middle-period, experimental Snout, like 'Crogmagnon Man'; and the new, more beat-based material from Circle High And Wide.  

'Hey Hey Hey' extends the Snout tradition of skewed pop shuffles. 'Tomorrow We Sing' could only be described as Beatlesque. 'Got Sold On Heaven' is Snout's latest perfect pop moment - with its studied pace and doodoo-doodoo chorus. Who needs words when you've got melodies this fantastic?  

If there's a pop heaven, Snout can take us there.