Déjà Vega, Gorilla. 5th February 2022

I don’t think I’ve quite got my head around Déjà Vega yet. They sound a bit like Andy Caines fronting Kasabian, covering songs from The Music, played at double speed, with maybe a bit of The Maccabees, fed through a distorted psych amp set to apocalypse. That’s of absolutely no use at all to any reader, so there’s only one thing for it, you’re gonna have to have a listen. If you do though, make it live. Their two records to date are a good listen, but bloody hell, live it’s a whole new level. I don’t think you really know a band until you’ve been in a room with them. Sure there are some fantastic albums that have used the studio to full effect, but you can’t beat the excitement of a live sound and Déjà Vega have that excitement. The set is largely drawn from the new record Personal Hell, a record that I think sums this lot up well. There’s a lot going on, like they’re still testing the waters. Where they want to go, where they can go. If you want me to boil it down though, psyche rock. They lock into a groove then ride it. It’s bloody fantastic. They’re a power-trio with one setting, face-melting. The drummer’s like a thousand angry Duracell bunnies coked up to the ears. I can’t keep up with him and I’m amazed the bassist can. They make a formidable pair. It’s quite a sound for just three of them and even more so when two thirds of it is rhythm. The guitars, vocals and bits of occasional squiggly synth come from the other guy. Sorry I’ve not learnt names yet, but it’s lovely to see a band smile so much onstage. There’s some brutal sound emanating up there and they’re clearly having a blast delivering it. Mr Powder sounds magnificent, but it’s the twin attack of Banshee and Harmonia that get Gorilla losing its collective shit. Honestly I was a bit luke warm coming in and it’s rare for me to change my mind after just one set, but I’m all in. This band are great. Keep an eye on them. “We’ve got one more song” after an hour of glorious tunes. That one song lasts 20 minutes and sees the singer crowd surfing multiple times. That sums them up, confident and fearless. An absolute joy to witness.