1/10/2008 Men & Gods @ Madam JoJo’s

Subject	Men & Gods @ Madam JoJo’s
PostedDate	10/1/2008
	A bit of an odd night at that infamous Soho sleazepit Madam JoJo's.  The evening is presented as a sort of cabaret night with live rock bands. Each band performs their set, and as it draws to it's close they are joined on stage by an exotically dressed girl who then procedes to remove (nearly) all her clothing in an artistic manner as the band play their final song. It makes an interesting change, but I don't think it really suits most of the bands - particularly the one who come on like a 'metal' version of the White Stripes.  Madam JoJo's is one of my least favourite venues, although it's very good from the point of being able to get a good view of the stage - no doubt being designed with this in mind for the other attractions that have appeared here in the past.  There I two things I really dislike about this venue though - the bar is shit!  It's not just that it's overpriced - you expect that sort of thing in Soho clubs, but I look behind the bar and can't actually see anything on offer that I actually want to drink anyway. So this is one of the venues where I am never likely to get drunk and spend as little as possible at the bar. And then of course there is the toilet - which is tiny enough to start with and made even worse by you tripping over one of the dreaded toilet attendants as you try to get in.  Still, Men & Gods are playing so it's not all bad. The band seem to be back on an even keel after their recent strange night at The Comedy. The band seem quite well suited to the vibe in this venue, although frontman (or should that be Ringmaster?) Marc seems to have his flamboyant style cramped somewhat by the confines of this stage. This band are certainly at their best on a larger stage where they have more room to move about, but they take these small club gigs in their stride. This band are always good to watch as well as to listen to regardless of the venue though. The members of Men & Gods seem to have an onstage chemistry which sets them apart from other bands. I always find this band fascinating to watch as there is so much happening on stage as the musicians interact and spark off each other in a way that is rarely seen. This means I never seem to get bored of seeing this band as it's never the same show twice - there is no setlist prepared beforehand and not even Marc knows what tangent things are going to head off in...