![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
On Thursday we decided, at fairly short notice, to head up to Islington in the evening to the "Live Steampunk Deathmatch" between The Gypsy Nomads (rebranded as Frenchy and the Punk) and The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing. I took my camera, and the results are below.
The stage was initially rather full of drums, as TMTWNBBFN's kit was set up at the back, and Frenchy and the Punk consist of one singer/percussionist ("Frenchy") and one guitarist/percussionist ("The Punk"). They also happen to be excellent, and I ended up having to borrow what turned out to be a takeaway curry for two's worth of money to get their back catalogue. Musically, they're a sort of folk-influenced neo-cabaret (there's a reason why I don't often attempt to define musical genres). From the albums it appears that their earlier work is mostly instrumental, while the later material also features Frenchy's vocals. Some of the instrumental works are drum-only tracks, and I've always been fond of percussion pieces and bands with multiple drummers. Lyrically (and musically) there are good touches of humour, as well. Definitely worth catching should your paths cross theirs.
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, meanwhile, have been working on new material - to the extent that the setlist included one song written the day before the gig, and another that had been collaborated on remotely while Andy O'Neill was in Australia. There is apparently a new album in the works. Still the same Victorian punk ethos, which inspired Mr O'Neill to do his best Brian May impersonation, covering the national anthem in honour of the impending wedding, seguing effectively into an enthusiastic Sex Pistols cover when both he and Mr Heinz agreed that, personally, they both "favour a republic". New merchandise, too, including a new poster by Dr Geof. Marc finished the gig off with possibly the most lackadaisical stage dive ever seen (although, unlike one singer I know, he avoided concussing himself in the process).
( Samples behind cut )
Gallery links:
Frenchy and the Punk
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing
The stage was initially rather full of drums, as TMTWNBBFN's kit was set up at the back, and Frenchy and the Punk consist of one singer/percussionist ("Frenchy") and one guitarist/percussionist ("The Punk"). They also happen to be excellent, and I ended up having to borrow what turned out to be a takeaway curry for two's worth of money to get their back catalogue. Musically, they're a sort of folk-influenced neo-cabaret (there's a reason why I don't often attempt to define musical genres). From the albums it appears that their earlier work is mostly instrumental, while the later material also features Frenchy's vocals. Some of the instrumental works are drum-only tracks, and I've always been fond of percussion pieces and bands with multiple drummers. Lyrically (and musically) there are good touches of humour, as well. Definitely worth catching should your paths cross theirs.
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, meanwhile, have been working on new material - to the extent that the setlist included one song written the day before the gig, and another that had been collaborated on remotely while Andy O'Neill was in Australia. There is apparently a new album in the works. Still the same Victorian punk ethos, which inspired Mr O'Neill to do his best Brian May impersonation, covering the national anthem in honour of the impending wedding, seguing effectively into an enthusiastic Sex Pistols cover when both he and Mr Heinz agreed that, personally, they both "favour a republic". New merchandise, too, including a new poster by Dr Geof. Marc finished the gig off with possibly the most lackadaisical stage dive ever seen (although, unlike one singer I know, he avoided concussing himself in the process).
Gallery links:
Frenchy and the Punk
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing