A silk tie wearing, shiny-suited and booted branding guru would spew out his spritzer if he stumbled across The Computers. The name conjures up images of earnest math rock bores who spend most of their time locked in darkened bedrooms either fiddling with themselves or with a four-track. It’s a world away from what The Computers are like.
There’s no eight minute long death inducing prog dirges here, instead the assembled crowd is subjected to a slick, sharp and intense four-piece which unleashes a frenzied assault on the senses. Dressed entirely in white and sporting quiffs that would do Rocket From The Crypt proud. The Computers hurtle through a blistering set that takes the demented lunacy of Mclusky plus the more restrained vitriol of Future of the Left and churns them up alongside a hearty dollop of old-fashioned garage rock’n’roll.
Singer Alex screeches through most of the songs without a second thought for what must be lacerated vocal chords, while the heroic drummer somehow manages to keep the mayhem in front of him in check. Each song demands our undivided attention and the frontman makes doubly sure there’s no nattering at the back by frequently venturing into the crowd to perform, leaving a trail of sweat and a few nervous glances in his wake.
The Computers don’t do anything by half. They’re here to play fast, play loud and to put on a show. “We are here to save you” hollers Alex at one point. It’s quite a pledge, but after a performance as entertaining as this, you suspect he might have found a few more believers.
The Computers
Audio, Friday 3 June
WORDS BY GARY SCATTERGOOD
