The Blanks' Big Break

For a singing style that originated as a strict Christian interpretation of non-instrumental music, a cappella has come a long way. Nothing could confirm that more than watching The Blanks, whose repertoire favours eighties power ballads and cartoon theme tunes more than Gregorian chants. 

Many will be familiar with the group from their reccurring guest appearances on TV's Scrubs, particularly Sam Lloyd, best known as downtrodden hospital attorney, Ted - a point of reference they are not above having a little fun with. "This song is from the show Scrubs," says Lloyd, setting up Lazlo Bane's 'Superman', "which we were lucky enough to be a part of."

"Yeah, some luckier than others," responds one of his contemporaries, dripping with faux bitterness.

The show's conceit is that, somewhere in the audience, a record industry bigwig is lurking, whose favour might allow the flustered, bickering band a contract to fulfill their dream of singing on a cruise ship... in space. What follows is an hour of vaudeville-style humour (so vaudevillian, in fact, that one joke is shamelessly lifted from the Marx Brothers) and a stream of astonishing vocal executions of nostalgic pop culture leftovers.

Your enjoyment of the performance will depend greatly on how willing you are to sit and listen to old TV theme songs, which comprise roughly half of the running time. However, though the sketches sometimes drag and the running gags grow repetitive, The Blanks' vocals are undeniably incredible. Even without the comedy, their singing alone could justify the show.