GIG: Devision Redux (Sheffield Corporation)

 

It had been a long and somewhat trying day already (see previous post) and our feet were hurting before we even got to the Corporation, but thankfully we had a treat in store. We were only expecting to see Devision Redux and Vaughn George (Mesh keyboardist) but on arrival we realised there was another support band called Spire Circle. Actually, maybe it was a good thing we didn't know because we might have decided to find somewhere to sit down for a bit longer and that would have been a shame because actually Spire Circle were rather good. I certainly can't remember the last time I enjoyed a previously 'unknown' support band so much.

SPIRE CIRCLE

When they first came on the bass player was turned up to eleventy stupid, but after the first song the soundman told him to turn it down a bit and it all sounded much better. I don't know how long they've been going and they have that 'new band' uncertainty about them inbetween songs, but when they were actually playing they were very convincing and the music was surprisingly good. They are definitely rooted in the 80s alternative scene and a lot more 'aggressive' than say Devision, but I'm glad they haven't got a guitarist as it would be so easy to go that path. Much better to stick as they are. 

VAUGHN GEORGE

We managed to snag a couple of chairs (mine being a wingback!) to rest our feet in between the bands and after a fairly brief changover we returned to the main room to see Vaughn George sat at his keyboard preparing to play his interpretations of Depeche Mode songs. I guess if we'd thought about this we probably should have realised that he would be focussing on the tedious Martin Gore songs, and so it was... .at least we got 'Stripped' and 'Enjoy the Silence'.

DEVISION REDUX

Again we managed to snag two more chairs for the interval and then it was finally time for Devision Redux. Our feet were really knackered by now, but thankfully DR were excellent (after a slightly embarrassing fluffed start). Considering we really don't know that many of the songs very well it was very enjoyable and very easy to get into. Also the sound was absolutely perfect, not too loud, not too quiet and clear as crystal. EBM legend Daniel Myer provided keyboards and Steffen Keth's vocals were bang on the money. Best songs of the night were 'Flavour of the Weak', 'Time to Be Alive' and 'Rage'.