Radio Kaos
It's hard work getting gigs in Manchester so what better way than to put your own on? Bar Baa in Fallowfield is not the usual place you would find bands playing but a little enterprise on behalf of Lauren from Deaf FM means that tonight the upstairs bar belongs to Deaf FM and their friends. You have to admire the DIY approach and the camaraderie it inspires; it's how 'scenes' get started and how we all avoid getting ripped off, so there's a few brownie points to start with!
There aren't that many punters in by the time Deaf Fm play, 20-30 maybe but they are nothing but enthusiastic and the fact that there is no stage and singer Lauren is right out there face to face with the audience, gives the whole performance the kind of intimacy that you just don't get at bigger shows. Whilst billed as an industrial band I find that Deaf FM come across more as a heavy rock/punk band, their songs generally being short and catchy. The musicianship is pretty tight with some good riffs and there's certainly no lack of confidence as Lauren bounces out towards the crowd and blasts out opener My Poison.
With a little encouragement a few of the crowd make it onto the dancefloor and it has to be said they bust some very entertaining moves! It all adds to the overall impression and judging from the relaxed interaction between guitarist Fa Cauldwell and bassist Mike Grubert everyone's having a good time. Considering it's a small p.a and the room isn't really set up for gigs, the sound isn't bad and the vocals in particular cut through well. There is the odd weaker track and I'd be tempted to revise the lyrics of (what I think was called) Botox Babe but overall it's a short but enjoyable performance, which culminates with a well received encore of Cry Me A River . Short it may have been but there was enough in the performance to impress and it would be good to see them with a bigger crowd at a more established venue. For a fairly new band though, the omens are good!