Ho9909’s latest album, Tomorrow We Escape, is a multi-genre adrenaline shot of a record, and we’ve heard many tales of their live shows being an even more startling affair. So with this in mind, we’re pretty excited about the prospect of an evening in their company. This is amplified by “you had to be there” discussions of the last time they visited the Brudenell and by all intents and purposes, reportedly tore the place apart (metaphorically speaking, of course), so to say our anticipation is high this evening is probably playing it down.
First up, though, is an unknown name for us. N8NOFACE is also an act with numbers and letters in his name and electronics in his act, but that is where the comparisons end. When he emerges onstage, he is the very definition of nervous energy as he jolts and dances like the ghost of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis has possessed his soul, and then the tracks start. Imagine if you will, an 8bit, chiptune punk rock rave with the soul of Human League and early Depeche Mode, and you’re almost close. N8NOFACE is either beaming with joy as though he’s won this support slot in a competition or fixing a point in the air with a thousand-yard stare with the rage of a man that just lost his wallet; there is no in between. Men Who Dress Well has the direct approach of Kraftwerk, but the vocals of Jello Biafra and Hurt nail the minimalist post-punk sound, alongside full-on synth-punk wig-outs like Return The Fire. It’s an incredible performance that went from a fun novelty at first to a new favourite artist within 40 minutes or so. We implore you to seek this thoroughly unique performer out, as we guarantee you a set you won’t forget in a hurry. He leaves as he arrived, telling the audience how much he fucking loves them, and judging by the shapes they’ve been throwing during his songs, they love him straight back.
Ho9909 take the stage to the Psychedelic strains of I Miss Home with man at the controls, The OGM looking like a dreadlocked Bootsy Collins in a sparkling sequined Ho9909 Adidas Tracksuit staring up into the lights as he sings hazily through funk-inspired 70s keys. (It has to be noted that this band has its fashion and merch game locked in tightly.) It’s a fittingly juxtaposed introduction that segues into the straight-up punk rock fury of Escape, where the Bad Brains 2.0 reboot of the band rages onstage in the form of Yeti Bones AKA Eaddy. He is definitely the Ying to The OGM’s Yang, and for the next hour, he is a non-stop frenetic ball of raw power. Ho99o9 have clearly been inspired by the aforementioned, way-ahead-of-their-time New York dub punk innovators and their equally crazy frontman, H.R., but Ho99o9 are way more than this. As they blast through riot-starting album highlights like Target Practice and the awesome OK I’m Reloaded, they do so in a tight, well-practised way, even though it sounds really chaotic.
A good part of their power comes from their live drummer, who definitely deserves his flowers for being so on point throughout the performance, which reaches 200 BPM in places; he is phenomenal. A brief, slightly bizarre interlude of 90’s rave classic, Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless) by Crystal Waters and Basement Boys, would seem totally out of place anywhere else, but here tonight it actually makes sense. The reason for this is down to the other stars of the night, the audience. What Ho99o9’s eclectic blend of hip hop, punk, metal and rave has assembled in the Brudenell tonight is as eclectic as their music. You have a moshpit exploding next to ravers throwing their hands in the air, next to old school punks in their 50s and 60s grinning from ear to ear knowing that the true spirit of punk rock is alive and well, it’s a meeting of tribes. It feels all night like you’re slap bang in the epicentre as the band leave us with a fair few new bruises and huge grins thanks to an actual wall of death that meant it, with Yeti Bones in the centre of the carnage, not dropping a single note. We all look at strangers with the same thought, ”Well, that was bloody incredible!” Ho99o9 are just as good as you’ve been told, in fact, they’re probably even better!
Review & Photos By George Miller – https://www.facebook.com/oneflamemedia
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