Review: Eureka Machines at Deal's Mill Inn on Saturday, May 14

by Carol Davies

Hmm. Saturday night--what to do? Stay in and watch the parade of cheesy lift music in the Eurovision Song Contest, or catch the hugely talented power-pop Eureka Machines in a Deal pub, for free.

Shame on you if you opted for the former, because the latter would have rocked your socks - and probably shoes - off.

Fans of the Leeds-based four-piece travelled from as far afield as London, Dartford, and even Newcastle, to see the winners of Pure Rawk awards for best band, best frontman and best video at the Mill Inn, in Deal.

I've seen them a few times before, supporting The Wildhearts in London, Electric Six, and sharing the bill at Guilfest with The Stranglers and Motorhead.

Recently they supported Gogol Bordello so why the low-key pub gig in Kent?

The link is Matt Silk, friend of Eureka's frontman Chris Catalyst, and member of Kent band Chopper Nostrils, who warmed the Mill Inn crowd up well with a short, energetic, unpredictable and hard-rocking set before the Machines took the stage.

Matt said: "They were touring the UK and had a spare night in their diary, so I jokingly suggested we played a double bill at the Mill Inn, and was amazed when they agreed.

"I'm a long-time fan, so was really excited - and what a night it was."

The rock press has likened the Machines to Green Day and Feeder, and described their music as "power pop perfection," "catchy, quirky, with huge harmonies" and "loaded with razor-sharp riffs."

Formed in 2007, the current tour is to promote their second album, Champion the Underdog.

They won over the crowd at the Mill Inn from the start with their hook-laden songs and raw energy and made new fans of the first-timers there.

Stand out moment for me was These Are the People Who Live in My House - check out the video on YouTube and you'll be singing it for days.

You'll also understand why Pure Rawk voted it best video a couple of months ago.

Eureka Machines are extremely talented, modest and funny guys.

Humour is woven into their lyrics, stage act and even their merchandise, where T-shirts come in sizes small, medium, large, extra large, and professional darts player.

If you missed them, don't make the same mistake twice if they come back to Kent. There are no firm plans yet, but we're working on it.