Reviewed on 12th March 2006.

¡Forward, Russia!

Live at Cockpit on Friday, 10th March 2006

I like a place where the beer is cold and my feet stick to the floor. The Cockpit, my own little microcosm of punk, rock and roll and all that is indie. My haven, my sanctuary, my hajj, and for tonight, the home of Dead Disco, O Fracas and the main headliners, ¡Forward, Russia!.

After a late start, which saw O Fracas wandering in at 7.50 carrying their instruments (something about guitars left in taxis), Dead Disco took to the stage in a flurry of electro glamour launching into their first song 'City Place'. Victoria bounded across the stage like a hamster on speed and was mesmerising in her little red dress and her keyboard playing was experimental to say the least, all good mind! The obvious all ready made comparisons to Blondie seem most apt. Three girls with obvious attitude and one boy who keeps the beat.

Personal favourites of the set had to be 'Automatic', a song about robots, followed by their upcoming single, 'The Treatment'. One hell of a catchy tune, written about the depressing subject of date rape, but which will have you humming by the end, listen to the song and you'll know what I mean. It was edgy, almost sci-fi esque, jaunting through hallowed halls of darkness and despair.

With the whispers of an upcoming video filtering through the airwaves, Dead Disco have arrived. There's fire in their bellies and their hungry for more.

Next on to the gorgeous O Fracas, the pumped up energetic cheeky lads from Leeds. Tonight they began their set with 'Tarn at 10' and once my eyes adjusted to Ben's attire, which I can only describe as geek chic (in this instance, a yellow suit jacket) my feet wouldn't remain still!

What followed was a myriad of catchy tunes with all the sweetness of angel delight. An explosion of pure raw talent, charity shop clothes and sweat. Their songs were a chocolate box full of surprises, but without the metaphorical coffee one. Sharp, almost ranting lyrics combined with cross rhythmic guitar riffs and frantic drumming. It was agreeably messy to the ears.

Personal favourite had to be 'Forfeit', which can only be described as feckin' excellent. This song involved crowd interaction as percussion instruments were flung into the throng, which became comical missiles when thrown back. The band did a swap as Ben took up the drums, Chris to the cymbals and Alex took up a huge stop/go sign of all things, with which he proceeded to direct the horde. The room was blackened and the beats deep, almost hypnotising. They made me dance, they made me leap, and I didn't care who was looking. I strutted my stuff as my loins wept with joy and I loved every bloody minute of it. A real life canvas of musicianship for my delectable delight. Forthcoming single 'Follow Sue' a must for all those with taste.

If you haven't heard O Fracas before, do something about it. A vision sent from the indie post punk Gods above? I should bloody think so!

Now to the headliners... ¡Forward, Russia! who entered to a thundering rapturous plethora of screams and shouts. As the band took to their stations, the magnitude of electricity between the band and their idolising fans lit up the whole room leading to a cataclysmic fire cracker of instant adoration. Their first song '13' was a good choice and a firm favourite for the crowd as it elegantly stumbled across the sound waves yielding for no one, quickly followed by '15 part II', which saw Tom winding the microphone around his neck almost like a noose, biting the flex like a rabid dog.

My personal favourite had to be '12' which was fourth in the set, and was dedicated to the band members' girlfriends, even Katie piped up that she wanted it dedicated to her girlf as well. The rostrum was mainly bathed in a glow of red, and like a monster from the deep tangled in reeds, but in this instance flex and sweat, Tom shrieked his way through to the enchantment of the masses. It was dirty, it was aggressive, it was sharp, it was enthralling, and it was just what the doctor ordered.

There was crowd surfing galore and '4' even saw a new band member as one bloke invaded the stage and at one point I witnessed the amusing site of a crowd surfer with only one shoe. But like lambs to the slaughter, the crowd were taken in and then hung, drawn, quartered and left out to dry. The finale saw the band launch into '14' whilst the audience screamed in delight tinkering on the verge of orgasm, leaving the crowd begging for more.

You can't help but take notice of the bands youthfulness, but then their torrent of talent floods the room bathing everyone in a wash of ecstasy and full grown fucking appreciation as the magic that is ¡Forward, Russia! takes place before their very eyes.

A night to remember was had by all. Something special is indeed happening... watch out world... Leeds is after you!

Comments

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On 12th March 2006 at 18:40 Anonymous 4494 wrote...

if you missed this gig you can catch 2 out of 3 of these bands, DEAD DISCO & O FRACAS at Mine bar under Leeds Uni on 21st March!!

On 12th March 2006 at 18:42 Dave LMS wrote...

It was a great gig! All three bands played well, and this review is excellent - it reminds me of the fun I had on Friday

On 12th March 2006 at 21:50 Anonymous 5495 wrote...

The gig on friday was fantastic. Leeds truly is the musical hotspot on the nation at the mo, and Dance To The Radio is at the forefront of it. Well done to Whiskas & co for a great gig. Great support and as per iForward, Russia! play a fantastic set with energy and exhuberance, Cheers!