The Computers
Engine Room, Brighton
30 March 2010
Following a ragged but entertaining performance from openers Turbogeist, much fancied Leeds four-piece Holy State set about denting some eardrums with a set of sharply focused, unhinged post punk of the Drive Like Jehu/Fugazi variety, their taut riffs and sullen grooves pulled off with equal parts barely concealed rage and modest good humour. Like many from the Holy Roar stable the band are currently receiving some great support slots and a degree of critical admiration, so with a bit of luck this lot will be headlining places like this before the year is out… Well worth getting down early for.
Outcry Collective may not have yet exploded into the mainstream consciousness like some once predicted that they would, but if gallons of sweat and a sheer bloody minded determination were common currency they’d be huge by now. Frontman Steve Sitkowski is a human wrecking ball tonight, bounding from the stage before the audience have had time to down their pints and screaming straight into their faces, reaching spectacular heights of fury on ‘Straight From The Throat’ (dedicated to the band’s detractors) and a particularly intense ‘A Great Day For The Crows’, while the quartet rip through a succession of gritty, groove heavy cuts from debut full length ‘Articles’, tracks like the southern fried ‘Moonlight’ and closer ‘New Franchise Mess’ seeming to hit home fairly well with the decent sized crowd. Whether bound for the Poison The Well file (brilliant, but criminally neglected) or destined for bigger things, there can be no doubt that Outcry Collective are among the country’s most underrated, impressive live acts.
Following that was never going to be easy so it’s fortunate that The Computers are another of the UK’s most striking live bands, razor sharp in delivery and irresistibly upbeat. Those Rocket From The Crypt comparisons were inevitable but clad in matching white suits the band charge through their set like their lives depend on it, reminiscent of a bunch of fifties rockers left in a cryogenic tube for years with nothing but Black Flag’s ‘Damaged’ on repeat, defrosted at regular intervals in order to wow crowds. If anyone drifts off into the night without a smile plastered across their face this evening, they’re likely either sleepwalking or just lack any sense of fun. Excellent stuff.
Review by Rob Sayce
