April 13, 2022
Words by: Cam Mulberry
Tonight’s billing was a special one, BODEGA have developed an almost cult-like following for their fine blend of rock and art punk and tonight they played the hallowed ground of The Fleece alongside the Regressive Left.
The Regressive Left, the support act, go together with BODEGA like cheese and wine and both produce songs of quirky, catchy and charming nature with the Regressive Left leaning heavily on its Human League come Working Mens Club vibes.
The lead singer of the band Simon Tyrie channeled the spirit of David Byrne in his vocal delivery with melodies very reminiscent of the Stop Making Sense Era, whilst the instrumentation of the band (Georgia Hardy and Will Crobsy) are tight and precise sound much like early LCD Soundsystem with interplay between the focused drums and the often soaring guitar leads.
BODEGA came dressed to kill tonight, sporting a dazzling array of 80s inspired outfits and perms that lit up the room and prepared us for the sonic sermon to come.
To those uninitiated in the Ministry of BODEGA they are an Art Punk band who steem from NYC, to describe their uniquely brilliant sound it would be best to say they sound like if OMD accidentally transformed into a 70’s punk band ala The New York Dolls.
Fronted by Nikki Belfiglio and Ben Hozie with new members (New as in 2019!) Dan Ryan, Adam See, Tai Lee they produce some of the most infectious chantable music to come from the other side of the pond, put it this way I’ve yet to see someone pull-off playing 16th notes on a hi-hat whilst singing look so easy as Nikki manages to do it. Dan Ryan also gets a special note for his Wilco Johson-esque backwards and forwards dance moves, in fact the entire band knew how to put on an amazing show that was truly captivating.
Since seeing BODEGA I’ve done nothing but annoy my flatmates by playing Broken Equipment at anti-social levels, because this city is made for the DOERS!