The Cars: Lyceum, London

THE CARS took the stage to a backing tape of revving engines, the principal mode of presentation for this Boston-based five piece. The house was packed, mainly with media-linked personnel. Where were the thousands of punters who put the single 'Best Friend's Girl' in the charts? Amidst mutterings that WEA have pulled a gigantic marketing scam on their latest hot proteges the absence of atmosphere and rooting hordes of converts indicated that a touch of suspicion was in order.