Thursday 10/03/05 Engineers, Pelumair, Vandal In Berlin @ Barfly, Liverpool

An odd combination for a Thursday night at the barfly, a deep electronic band, a pair of buskers and the inimitable Engineers...

First up are Vandal In Berlin and despite the luke warm reaction from the crowd they rock! An electronic three piece armed with a sampler, vintage synths and cheap casio keyboards, they are superb. Robotic clangs and gargles bubble beautifully and singer Jon's voiced is shredded to create an all powerful audio force field, marvellous. They look great and possess real energy the only problem being their linear approach to beat making. Songs ride and build but the sampler plods along in a straight line. If they can muster killer breaks and changes they are going to be huge but for now we'll have to wait and see. In fairness though this is only their third gig, watch this space.

Next up are Pelumair direct from an open mic night near you (probably) and are pretty tame all things considered. An acoustic duo are probably the last act anyone in their right mind would choose to follow digital soundscapes but I guess it keeps them off the streets. The songs they play are hummable enough but without the muscle of a rhythm section its lost on everyone.

Finally Engineers arrive to brighten up proceedings and after the dismal Pelumair they rock with all the power and magnificent light of the Sun. The recent single 'Forgiveness' destroys chromazones and floods endorphins like a shot of pure adrenaline to the bonce. On record the London based combo sound like a blissful visit to 'Beta-Land' but live they are ferocious. The lysergic flourishes from the guitar crash against Simon Phipps vocals to build a wall of awesome noise that could be used as audio warfare against pot smokers. Herein lies the only flaw -- Sometimes the wall of sound builds to the point of cacophony and leaves Phipps' vocals behind in the distance. Having said that it really is a breathtaking spectacle 'Home' being the most effective and has more in common with Spiritualized than the afore mentioned Beta Band (as it does on the LP). After the gig the assembled crowd look bewildered as if their senses had been stripped. If you don't have the album, buy it now if they play anywhere near you sell your soul for a ticket. The future belongs to Engineers and its going to be bright...