This Washington DC band slimmed to a trio in 2007, but the sound they unleashed at The Haunt was more befitting of an orchestra – albeit a slow motion one happy to work a riff into the ground.

Dead Meadow are often unfairly tagged as “stoner rock”, when in fact their sound – and especially tracks from latest album Warble Womb – is more akin to 1970s acts such as Blue Cheer and Vanilla Fudge. But sadly, guitarist Jason Simon – looking cool behind his Sparks moustache – didn’t have the chops to match.

After an initial thrilling ten minutes which pounded the ribcage as much as the ears, the set tailed off into lashings of wah-wah that disguised an absence of ideas.

The crowd was left wanting for that same hit and when sound issues plagued bassist Steve Kille, it was a done deal.

Still, the front row, nodding as if at a hip hop gig, loved it, and kudos should also go to drummer Mark Laughlin who continually shepherded the band with his playing.

Tracks from 1998’s eponymous debut got the biggest cheer at the close – but hopefully not only because Dead Meadow had finally finished…