It was quite the week of firsts at the end of February, as we were delighted to visit two venues we’d not been to before. At the top of the week we were in Stockport at The Plaza for the Everything Everything album launch, then on Thursday we were back in Manchester City centre for yet another album launch and another venue to tick off the list. Funnily enough, BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins was connected to both – not only did he hold a Q and A with Everything Everything on Monday night, it was through him that we first heard about 33 Oldham Street when he held a Q & A with JOHN there a few years back.
Whilst Hawkins wasn’t in the building on Thursday, it was still a special evening sure enough, celebrating the release of a new album from synth-loving, Northern electro-punks Chrysalid Homo – their second, ‘Insanus Et Humatica’.
On before the headliners, one-man Northern noise machine Cold Comfort (a.k.a. Ben Forrester) made it two weeks on the bounce in Manchester, having opened up for recent Rocket Recordings signees Thee Alcoholics the week prior. Armed with just a laptop, an effects pedal and two microphones, to warm himself up he was bouncing on the spot, banging the microphone off his forehead as wall trembling noise filled the room, building up anticipation for his half hour of power.
The beanie hat atop his head flew off almost instantly as the opener kicked into gear, Forrester dancing on the spot, shouting out vocals and passionately thumping his chest. Flashing lights above the stage gave off a fairground aesthetic, Forrester commanding the space like a punk version of the bloke shouting “Scream if you wanna go faster”. He told us he’d been passive aggressive all day with colleagues leading up to this, so when he hopped off the stage on ‘Cheery Little Guy’ to stomp about the crowd, punters wisely retreated.
To fully support the headliners, Forrester switched up his set to be more electronic, with one number dominated by an enjoyably dirty bass line of the frantic Sleaford Mods variety (mistakenly referred to as the “Chicken in a basket” song by one of his work colleagues we were told). Quite the entertainer, he stopped a song during its intro to tell the rapt crowd that he would be trying it all out tonight and we should think of him as a chameleon.
Distracted by an offer on at the bar for two pints under seven quid (unheard of), we were slightly tardy for the arrival of Chrysalid Homo, squeezing our way into the packed room and finding a spot near the back whilst they were already in full swing. Vocalist Lawrence Duke and synth wizard Eden Ellis Duke sported lovely luscious locks, but it was hard to focus on their follicle gifts as they were flanked by a serious looking lad wearing a balaclava on another synthesiser.
Ahead of pulsating bopper ‘The Hixton Vibrator’, vocalist Lawrence broke off mid-story to announce – “I don’t know where my keyboard players gone…” Said keyboard player announced from underneath the merch table. “I’m trying to find something…” Aren’t we all? Dedicating one to the Elon Musk fans in the room, they then jokingly told someone to get out, sending with them a stream of obscenities. The vocalist would later aim the mic stand into the crowd with a grimace as he mimicked gunning people down.
With glimmers of Ouija psych-pop super group The Moonlandingz, their electro vibes suited the fair ground lighting that flashed from above. “This one’s about Morrissey, the absolute twat“. Preceded one robotic chest-thudder, with machine gun drums and the grossest hypnotic bass from bassist Nicholas Duke. “Was that fast enough?” They asked following another rapid drum machine pumping adrenaline rush, the two synth players shouting like automotons tuned to being noise punks, before the vocalist announced they had faster ones in the tank, which was received appropriately.
They don’t do encores we were told, but did stick about for a few more after the “last song”. The actual last song of the evening was a wonky synth-pop affair of the DEVO variety about ‘Dominic Kohl’, a fictional murderer based in Germany that definitely was not vocalist Lawrence, who actually gave a rather concerning description of a character that matched his description. “Everything you’ve just said is what a murderer would say…” Eden suggested, as Lawrence was taken away in handcuffs (not really). The perfect introduction to the new record, Thursday night was all about rock hard tunes backed up by theatrics and facial gestures aplenty. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the brothers Duke.
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