The Iron Boot Scrapers’ Speakeasy, The Old Market, Hove, May 16

Four men walk on to the stage dressed as though they have just finished an Edwardian boating trip up the Thames, resplendent in blazers and straw hats. When it comes to bands with style, you have to hand it to the Iron Boot Scrapers – those boys know how to dress. If their fashion sense was a hint at the fun about to ensue, then the array of instruments waiting at their disposal was even more so. The tinny sound of a banjo string being tuned was accompanied by the almighty blast of a sousaphone, surely one of the best-named instruments and one that evokes sympathy for the poor man who has to carry the beast around.

With tuning done, the group dived straight into a rendition of the Scissor Sisters’ hit Laura. Most of the audience was laughing, some looked on bewildered. And so they worked through their repertoire of rock and pop songs, including tracks by Muse, Queen, The Killers, The Beatles and Lady Gaga. Perhaps the best part of the night was trying to pick which song they would attack next and then guessing from the first few banjo bars.

Mixing musical genres is not something new – Richard Cheese has been lounge singing rock for years – but it is hard to get right and requires a lot of musical talent. Thankfully, these guys have that in spades, particularly the saxophonist who put in a sterling performance. Having evolved from a busking act, there is a danger the joke will get tired and the songs get samey – there is only so much you can attempt with a sousaphone, banjo, sax and percussion. But the length of the gig was just about right to maintain the crowd’s enthusiasm. And judging by the dancing during encore Sex On Fire, they loved it.