IT doesn't seem long ago that Fibbers was on the verge of closing down.

Now, since becoming part of the Barfly chain, it seems unstoppable with Spiritualized, Badly Drawn Boy and even the mighty Blazin' Squad all gracing its cramped stage in quick succession. Tickets have been as rare as rocking horse muck.

Those of us lucky enough to see Gomez last night were given a lesson in musicianship. You won't see a band more in command of their instruments - or each other's. At least three of them moved from playing guitar to bass to keyboard and back again. But it is the vocal harmonies of Tom Gray, Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball which really turn the band's bluesy rock riffs and quirky ballads into something special.

Cracking versions of Sound Of Sounds and Bring Your Loving Back Here were a case in point.

For the most part, Gomez let their music do the talking with the exception of Gray, who got involved in some lively banter and enthusiastic bouncing.

Three songs from their forthcoming album, Split The Difference, were given an airing. Although competent enough, particularly new single Catch Me Up, they seem to lack the ideas and youthful spark of their earliest efforts.

The crowd went particularly wild for Get Myself Arrested, which induced a mass singalong, Free To Run and, predictably, Whippin' Piccadilly.

Tellingly, all three tracks are from their debut, Bring It On.

Nonetheless, the set was as original as they come, with songs running into each other seamlessly and slowing down or speeding up whenever the mood took them.

Updated: 11:02 Thursday, March 11, 2004