Review: Mashemon at The Nerve Centre Insurrection.

For days I'd been wondering just what the surprise Mashemon had mentioned for this gig was going to be. Something old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something...acoustic? Well, if this was a marriage of something it would be interesting and as with every Mashemon show, it was a treat for the ears and the eyes with candy coming from every moment of the show for our open mouths.

If that was a strange description for a gig, then I'm proud because many words have been written about strange things but not enough on Mashemon. In conversation before the gig words to the effect of 'not family friendly' were uttered by singer and guitarist Ronnie and although the other member of the baby eating twosome was discussing staying up late for The Sweeney - now Taggart I agree with but... - all was forgiven when the show began with the always informative projection screen showing the visual effects that accompany all the best Mashemon performances.

Soon a veritable feast of faces was filling the Gallery, consisting of invited guests, adoring admirers, persons attracted by notes floating through the darkened air and pesky people with notebooks and camera's like myself. The set opened with that staple of their shows Sanity Check. Backed by a video showing what appear to be the once commonly seen Top of The Pops dancers doing as their name suggests, it was a stripped down, mellower version of the rockier album take and was excellent. The sex industry baiting lyrics became clearer without the rock edge and made those dancing people on the screen look rather ironic but not very sexy. 

This was followed by - rub your hands in anticipation - a new song called Another Mans Dirt that was also excellent and had a vaguely oriental flavour to the sound. And the new songs kept coming like missiles you really want to get in front of shouting 'hit me!' with Frank Bloke, which was introduced thus: 'If you don't like bad language, well...' The silence said it all as the song, with some of that ol' bad language was performed and well received. At some point in the night, someone trod on a wire and there was no sound for a minute or so. To rather hilarious effect, the person responsible was rebuffed with a joking 'He always like to turn up and cause trouble at our gigs!' 

Last came the anthemic Facts, with it's chorus preaching to the choir somewhat with the refrain 'when you going to change your way to my way...' and ending the song with a request from the audience for the obligatory 'one more!' which was soon obliged with the charmingly titled On Your Knees. The stripped down sound for this gig really did show a different side of the band and it was highly enjoyable with the usual black humour, excellent songs and thought provoking visuals. 

Do remember that if you don't go their way, Mashemon may just eat you. Be at their next gig and see why! 

Words and Image by Sebastian Gahan.