There aren't many places one would want to be when it's the dead of night in a particularly shady part of London. Not a "club scene" area, just a few pitch black streets where you feel perpetually unsafe, open to any attack at any time. To stumble onto one of these streets is to face almost certain danger. Thankfully, there is a solitary beacon of light in this part of London, known as Bart's. It's a small, cramped bar that acts as a refuge, a safe-haven, or just a place to relax for those who really need it. The bar itself is nothing special, no different than most other bars in the city. No, aside from the people there, what makes Bart's so special is its music.
Only two bands have ever played regular shows at Bart's: The Detectives and Criminology. The Detectives were a rather unusual sounding alternative rock band. Their singer and bassist, Sherlock Holmes, had a deep, echoing voice that gave every song an ethereal, deep, echoing voice that gave every song a strange and almost eerie feeling. His bass playing was clever and borderline showy, the instrument's depth and sound matching his low vocals. He wasn't particularly skilled at writing lyrics, most likely because of his lack of ability in the general field of emotion. However, he John Watson, the guitarist, played with a unique, complex style that would've impressed even the most famous, experienced guitarists. He sang occasional vocals, as his higher voice worked well with Sherlock's, and he could write sweeter, more emotionally driven music than the singer. On drums was Greg Lestrade, a drummer with impeccable timing who could be very precise yet very innovative at the same time.
The other band, Criminology, consisted of singer Jim Moriarty, a handsome fellow with an interesting accent; guitarist Sebastian Moran, who played in a very complex yet almost sloppy sounding fashion; bassist Irene Adler; and Anderson, the drummer. No one ever bothered to learn his full name, no one cared. They were known for having music that could be borderline psychedelic, heavy and loud, and soft and gentle. Sometimes all in the same song. However, their songwriting was lacking, it all was about sex and money and obsession; the main interests of the three songwriters. (Anderson wasn't allowed to write songs, as they were all about dinosaurs)
Both bands performed alternating nights, but it was guaranteed that if you went to Bart's at midnight on any night, one of these bands would be there playing an hour-long set before opening the stage to anyone who wanted to perform.
The two bands got along okay with each other. Some would even consider them friends, albeit with quite a lot of friendly competition. The groups both wanted to be the best, to get famous, but neither of them got any "big break", and it seemed as though they would be stuck in local fame forever.
No one was prepared for any sort of chaos.