Dead Town Radio
Notting Hill Arts Club, London
14/04/2010

This band recently changed their name (from Dega Breaks) and have adopted a post-war braces and tweed breeches look – think of a French mime crossed with a WW2 Army Private. Why?! Who knows, but regardless, the four white-faced chaps from West London put on a pretty impressive show.

The military look isn’t exactly pertinent to their sound, as these guys clearly worship at the alters of The Cure, New Order and Korg. But with that wee juxtaposition out of the way, here is a rare example of an unsigned band that really excites and forces a grin to the most resistant of gnashers. Taking to a hot sweaty stage with a vigour and unrest, this is a band that really mean business. Not that lead singer Dom Otero is too wrapped up to say hello and address the crowd between songs, but it’s always encouraging to see an act so immersed in their performance.

As they smash in to their opener, it doesn’t take Dom long to jump on the stage monitors and start twanging away like a caged animal amongst the bouncy sing-a-long crowd. After which the band take a well deserved breather before giving us ‘Here Comes the Flood’ – a steady pumping melodic number with impressive backing harmonies. Imagine a self-harming Chris Isaac necking a bottle of absinthe singing ‘Wicked Game’. Great stuff!

The remaining set is back to angsty business and their single ‘Hey’ provides more upbeat synth-infused indie pop before the band finish to rapturous applause and enough woops to put a frat party to shame. Keep an eye on these guys.

Frazer Lawton