Even before Covid-19 the brilliant Eureka Machines usually only got down to London from their native Leeds about once a year. So it's been quite a while since these boys hit 'the smoke'. This time there is no new album to promote - just playing for the joy of finally being able to get out and have some fun again and bringing their songs to the masses. But because this band are so good, and they are rarely seen down south it's always an event when they come to town. Consequently The Underworld is pretty full tonight.
However, things don't get off to a smooth start and after the first song things grind to a halt because of technical/computer problems - guitar amps to be precise. In this case I think they are fancy state of the art 'modelling' amps.
There is a delay while things are sorted out - during which the band's frontman Chris Catalyst says that virtually all the technical problems on the current tour have been caused by stuff like this. I bet if they had used good old fashioned Marshall amps none of this would have happened! Eventually, the show restarts.
Fortunately the band are excellent musicians, and with five albums under their belts they have a rich catalogue of great songs to pick from. The music can be heavy at times and there is a definite
Wildhearts influence, and even Slayer! But catchy melodic tunes are never far away, as well chunky heavy riffs. They can be a 'pop group' as well as a 'rock band' - even in the same song, but however heavy they get there is always something uplifting about them. Interestingly, main man Chris Catalyst has recently been revealed to be a member of
Ghost - a band who's members remain anonymous and are simply referred to a 'nameless ghouls. Chris has only just finished a major tour playing guitar with the band...
This Eureka Machines show seems a little low-key compared to the many previous shows of theirs that I've seen - usually the whole band wear matching suits and look really sharp, but tonight at least one member is wearing jeans and visually the band aren't as arresting as they usually are.
Musically though, the band are on good form - although I think I've seen them better. Chris is a very entertaining frontman with a good line in banter. There is a lot of humour in their songs as well as more serious stuff about relationships and how shit life can be - but there is an underlying thread of determination and optimism reflected in the finely crafted songwriting.
One thing you can be sure about if you go to a Eureka Machines show is that you will be
entertained - not just with great music, but also Chris is very funny and self deprecating. The atmosphere at this band's shows is always terrific and you will soon have a smile on your face. It's just a shame we will probably have to wait at least another year before doing all this again...
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