2006 Reviews

Metro 20th July

Finally, the sharply dressed synthophiles Nemo strutted onstage to a packed out room. It was sweaty. "We are not men, we are Nemo!" shouted front man James before launching into their Cure-like opener 'Sonic Operator'. It hit just the right key (awful pun intended) with its driving guitars, catchy hooks and electro soaked tunes. There were robot voices and everything. I was so impressed by this that I started scribbling manically in my notepad with the result that none of it could be deciphered afterwards - the song had 'Grnely beats' apparently, according to my scrawls. Song number two, 'Living Room' was packed with pounding synth and cascading riffs. "You are my living room," James pouted into the audience, slinking across the stage, before going on to tell us that we were also millionaires. 'Rescue' was infectious full-on fist-in-air pogo madness more exciting than an epileptic fit. Its anthemic chorus and stabbing guitar melodies were backed by little twinkly synth bits and words like, "Rescue the revolution/Come on/Get drunk/Get on/Get out". Good advice indeed. 'Car Crash Eyes' was another highlight, with crunching guitars and sultry, crooning vocals and a chorus that built up into a snarling ball of electro chaos. With an electric stage presence and tunes catchier than most common diseases, it's no wonder that the crowd loved them. Turns out it's not that hard to find Nemo after all - and once you do, you're hooked.

© Ellie Kendrick

www.backbeatbands.co.uk

The Garage 30th May

Betty's quickly followed by Nemo, a bizarre amalgamation of Busted and Clor, who almost instantly get the crowd on their side. Pleasant yet predictable, they were showered with admiration and performed a tight set. It would be great to hear them on record.

Talia Kraines

www.gigwise.com