I got tickets for this gig when I started hearing "Radar Detector" on a regular basis on the radio. A catchy tune of pure pop brilliance I wanted more. Darwin Deez played a gig at a library while I was away but was able to get to this album launch.
The Allotment Club is a small club night offering live bands and free cake, its hard to refuse the draw of either. A few support bands filled the early evening as the crowd began to swell.
One by one the band squeezed through the crowd top stand at the front of the room waiting for Darwin. He eventually appeared, re-pleat in his tour sweater.
I had heard that about Darwin's live performance, and he himself is a funny guy, his appearance on Lauren Laverne's show the day before was something special; when told this year's theme for Bestival is fantasy he replied "like Cindy Crawford?".
They played a number of songs of their debut album which is out now, kicking off with "Hot Nights" and "Up In The Clouds". I say they, as Darwin Deez is the frontman, singer, guitarist but he is joined by Michelle on the bass, Cole on the guitar and Greg on drums. The songs sound great live and get you bopping, they play "Constellations" and the nicely vindictive "Bad Day". In between certain songs, like every two or so, he plays a sound clip or a bit of a song anything from Genesis (I think) to Beyonce's Single Ladies and the band huddle at the front and bust out choreographed dance moves, there are loads of examples on youtube, and a few from the night itself.
Having listened to the album itself since the sound is augmented by my knowledge of their live act including the dancing,but this is really someone you should catch live and before they end up in too big a venue so that they cant engage the crowd too. Oh yes the crowd are split for one of the dance routines and tasked with following one of the band members through one particular song. Towards the end they jumped into the crowd and dance around before ending the set with "Radar Detector".
That wasn't it, though it was for me, a very early morning wake up call meant i headed for the door immediately only to later find out they had done an encore. Dammit Janet indeed, though I got the bulk of the goodness in a small venue, check 'em out as soon as you can before the intimacy is all gone.
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