A small crowd suddenly appears out of nowhere at Cherry Bar to welcome The Mohan Veena as they kick start the night. Their eclectic, arty rock quickly evokes wild animal howls from a dedicated few, which are echoed back enthusiastically from on stage. The singer, adorned in feathers, dances about like an Indian Shapeshifter – half man, half animal. However, the primal energy of the stage peaks too early and soon wanes, along with the crowd’s initial intrigue. The band’s fervour briefly returns towards the end as all members let loose on their instruments for a strong finish. If this intensity had been consistent throughout, it may have turned into a memorable performance.
The instant The Cordyceps begin playing, a pretty unique noise blasts its way inside your skull. With a sound reminiscent of The Stooges; a melodica-wielding front man with dreads; and a whopping 7 members, this band are a chaotic force that makes you pay attention. 7 seems a ridiculous number, but with the stage presence of a miss-matched pack of escaped zoo animals on mushies, it’s an attraction in itself. The final song Dying Alone adds to the mayhem on stage with fans jumping up to wave tambourines, hit cymbals, and scream along. For entertainment as well as music, definitely a band worth checking out.
The atmosphere of the entire venue changes the second The Process pound out their first song – volume seems to have nearly doubled – forcing many to take a step back from the front. A neo-pagan scene unfolds with a bottle top covered cross which is violently beaten on the floor, the sound drowned out by the loud and heavy combination of a solid, pounding rhythm section and piercing guitar drones. Singer August Skipper, flails his body about the stage throughout, as if possessed by some monstrous demon. The crowd, who has inched their way forwards again, watches as if in a trance of worship, the tribal rhythm surging through them. The night ends with bleeding yet satisfied ears, solidifying that this really was a ‘Deaf’ Session to remember.
– Kate Sallai
See the photos of all the fun here
