| dsoaudio | gig reviews | Mechanical Cabaret/Deadaudiosaints/The Memepunks - Cart & Horses, London

Not sure why, because factually it was incorrect, but it felt like a-g-e-s since I'd been into London for a gig. I think what it was, was I had missed seeing a band I am truly passionate about, in a small pub venue, and where we could all forget all the shit that's happening in the world, even if only for a few hours on a Friday night.

My first time at the (apparently legendary) Cart & Horses - about a 10 minute walk from Stratford International train station. Excellent venue. A genuine old local, corner pub in the East End of London, with a dedicated and (according to the artists performing) decent sound system in a recently fully refurbished basement performance room dedicated to live music. I'd guess the capacity was 100-125 tops. The Cart & Horses is best-known as the place where legendary rock band Iron Maiden played their first gigs, becoming essentially a residential venue for the band. An absolute gem of a pub-based live venue and, sadly, increasingly a very rare thing these days. (Although I didn't sample it, the food served in the pub upstairs smelled great too.)

It comes as no surprise whatsoever that tonight's first act The Memepunks will be appearing at this year's Infest festival in Bradford later this month - they're tailor-made for it. If you're of a similar vintage to myself, think a alternative/goth/industrial/electronic/etc version of Jive Bunny, but instead of covering a mashup of 60s pop hits, they blend together a random selection of quality tunes from scene bands any regular visitor to this site will know well.

Mechanical Cabaret - Cart & Horses, London 9 August 2024

Photos: Cart & Horses, the bands, running order

Formed in 2011 (featuring Psyche, an ex-member of AlterRed - a band I was partial to) to play some covers for a laugh, they've polished up their sound and performances since they released Slimelight 2000 (a 10-minute epic smooshing together Covenant's Dead Stars, Project Pitchfork's Timekiller, Until The End Of The World by Apoptygma Berzerk, VNV Nation's Kingdom, Hooked by Seabound and Wolfsheim's Once In a Lifetime) a decade ago. Back then they seemed carried more by amateurish enthusiasm, but these days they're decidedly more polished and professional sounding (see Taint Yourself - a mashup of Eminen's Lose Yourself, Ed Cobb's Tainted Love and Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell performed by Kronos Quartet). I didn't catch much of their set, but their overriding motivation clearly, firmly remains 'let's have some fun'.

Deadaudiosaints was a name I knew but couldn't place. Had I seen them before? Or was I mixing them up with Dead Blood Cells? As I often do when my memory fails me, I quickly checked this website to see if I'd reviewed them before. I hadn't. I was confusing them with Dead Blood Cells. But as soon as they began playing any confusion was wipe away. An atmospheric, instrumental intro immediately caught my attention but it quickly morphed into a rockier sound that I wasn't expecting after that intro.

Deadaudiosaints - Cart & Horses, London 9 August 2024

Photos: [L-R] Deadaudiosaints x 2, Mechanical Cabaret x 1

The solid drumming formed the backbone of an impressive performance, though the cymbal sounds through the PA were initially jarringly sharp on the ears. Their songwriting prowess quickly shone through, leaving the impression that their recorded material would be well worth exploring. The live setup on stage was a minimalist drums, guitar, and vocals, but was supplemented by backing tracks, together creating a big sound. Their musicianship was evident in a set of well-constructed songs, featuring some inventive drum breaks, adding an uncommon depth to their sound. While that sound, which they call Electronic-Infused-Rock-Noise, isn't one I'd normally seek out, Deadaudiosaints clearly excel in their chosen style, delivering a fluid yet technically accomplished set that showcased their impressive talents.

Setlist: Broken Promises, Forever, Anymore, Yourself, Crucify, Taking Control, Jaded, Numb

Headliners Mechanical Cabaret took the stage with frontman Roi Robertson displaying admirable professionalism, handling a repeatedly disconnecting microphone lead with good humour and a smile on his face. The set featured a mix of old and new, including a welcome rendition of Careful Careless from their 2009 album Damaged Goods. Robertson's ability to infuse world-weary lyrics with an oddly joyous delivery these days is a pretty rare thing and what, for me, sets them apart and still rewards decades after they started.

Photos: Mechanical Cabaret x 3

Further technical difficulties, with a monitor, forced them to drop a song from their planned setlist (apparently is was to be a new one entitled Existential), but this didn't dampen the energy of the performance. A standout moment came with a particularly tasty version of Cheap and Nasty from their 2006 release Product For Your Insecurity. Robertson's wife Lily joined him on stage for the first time ever for a convincing rendition of Ministry's Revenge (released by the band as a digital single a year ago this month). Her presence on stage added an extra layer of intimacy to an already engaging show.

For me, the night reached its peak with a masterful transition from the transcendent Without Wonder to their shimmering non-hit 'hit single' anthem Disbehave. The switch showcasing the band's versatility and Robertson's expert control of mood, tempo and songwriting. Without Wonder may not be representative of Mechanical Cabaret's extensive back catalogue, but it's probably my favourite thing they've ever created. The lyrics a profound look at the Reginald Perrin-like pointless lives lived by the masses. Having Roi dedicate it to me over the mike as the opening notes emerged brought a flood of tears to my eyes.

Throughout the set, Robertson's familiar banter with both his bandmate Steve (Greenhaus) Bellamy and the audience continually brought a smile to my face, and admiration for Bellamy who has consistently taken such antics in his stride for years. A special shout out too for early member Tobie Chandler (and his magnificent facial hair) who, after leaving the UK and living in Italy for some years, returned to the band more than a decade after leaving it. Rarely does such a thing happen and it feels good to see him back on stage alongside Roi once again.

Despite the minor technical hiccups, both Deadaudiosaints and Mechanical Cabaret delivered performances in a venue that has an impressive storied rock legacy. Intimate gigs like this are what live music is all about for me. A magical night. 8/10

Setlist: Nothing Special, In Loving Memory, Black Mirror, Careful Careless, Different But The Same, Cheap and Nasty, Pretty Fucked Up, Revenge (Ministry cover), Without Wonder, Disbehave, See Her Smile, I Lost My Friend To A Videogame

Review + Photos: Rob Dyer

Mechanical Cabaret/Deadaudiosaints/The Memepunks

Cart & Horses, London - 9 August 2024

"A magical night"