Credit: Jemimah Knight

It’s ladies night at one of the better known locations for trannies and strippers in London’s Soho. The sleazy location should add to the myth surrounding the band that is kicking off its 2007 tour.

Outside in the cold alley off Brewer St, women dressed as men dressed as women queue excitedly costumed in a fashion that would not be out of place on stage for the Rocky Horror Picture Show. They’re waiting for the side project that grew, The Eagles of Death Metal.

The Soho review is a nice joint, black and gilt with a pole for dancing on each side of the room. The sound is not so bad either. For all the hype of a ladies only show, it is extraordinary to see a room at a gig almost entirely populated by women of pretty much every type.

There are men about, photographers, crew and guests. I chat to one who seems a little discomforted by the lack of testosterone but is generally having a good time supping Mohitos in such an unusual atmosphere.

The band appears on time and singer Jessie looks like a kid in a toy store as young women throw themselves at him, gyrate inexpertly on the poles and scream propositions that would make a pimp blush. The band plays on and they are tight – through the distraction of many a stage invasion. (Much to the surprise and apparent mild panic of the security staff more accustomed to a slower moving clientele).

Jessie is known for pointing out that being in this band, propped by rock royalty member Josh Homme (the two were at high school together) made him feel sexy after a grim divorce. Repeatedly stating “Let’s here it for the laydeees!” might be grating to the sober, but as the night wears on and knickers fly through the air, the gig takes on the appearance of a huge mixed hen night with rockers instead of strippers.

Give it to them, the Eagles of Death Metal put on a fun show. They’re not claiming to be metal at all and the light rockabilly slides are infectious. The “can you believe this?” grin on the chops of the guitarist who is 45, and being pawed by a woman half his age and the drummer who seems only half tuned into his surrounding make their performance a little odd.