PAPA SHANGO

Words and Photos: Charlie Wallis

The overwhelming sense from the small crowd gathered in the B2 tonight is that no-one really knows what to expect tonight. The appearance of a normal night showcasing local talent and live music is sharply juxtaposed against the presence of the guy in the full body gorilla costume and the burlesque dancer running around high-fiving whilst loudly asking everyone if they’re “Ready for the Shango”. No-one seems too sure.

First band on are local grunge four piece ‘Unedo’. One thing is clear from the outset of this performance and that is that these lads don’t lack talent. Lead singer Gra has nailed the vocals to match the brooding sound they’re clearly going for, pitched somewhere between Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley. The standout in this band however has to be drummer Oli who can clearly play and puts in the most energetic performance of the whole band. Musically they have the makings to be extremely popular with grunge revivalists, however their stage show needs work to pull them above the ranks of your everyday local band and make ‘Unedo’ truly stand out.

Unedo

The next band up tonight are the energetic rock stylings of Norwich based ‘Cutback’. With soaring harmonies and bouncy indie rock style ‘Cutback’ bring the fun in a big way. Their sound is reminiscent of bands like My Awesome Compilation and the lighter side of Funeral For A Friend and they put on a thoroughly entertaining performance. Vocally this band are spot on with challenging vocal harmonies being pulled off each and every time. What’s nice about this band is that, even in a half full venue they still give it everything and seem to really enjoy themselves, which in turn puts a smile on the faces of those standing and watching. In terms of a scene so often over-burdened with mediocrity and underwhelming performances, ‘Cutback’ could be one to watch.

Cutback

What comes next will be something of a hazy blur of colour and movement for some there tonight and many if not most will struggle to put into words the sheer madness that is Papa Shango. The whole performance stands with the dancers, consisting of the aforementioned gorilla and burlesque lady along with a hazmat suit wearing skeleton and a human sized banana setting off confetti fireworks, which was the most normal part of the show. It just got stranger and stranger. Papa Shango consists of an eclectic group of musicians headed up by Papa Shango himself, dressed as his voodoo priest garb clad, wrestler namesake.

Papa Shango

Musically it’s solid but not a whole lot to write home about. Many of the songs just consist of the words “Papa Shango” shouted over the top of rather accomplished guitar playing. Standout tracks would have to be “Love Sponge” which involved the band and dancers literally sponging the crowd and “Hell Witch” which unfortunately (but to the relief of the front row) did not involve fire breathing, despite I imagine the bands protests to the venue. The majority of the performance took place in and amongst the audience, as if this was a band who’ve been so sick of playing shows where, as in so many cases, the audience stands so far from the stage, that they’ve just said “screw it, let’s take the insanity to them!”

Papa Shango

Whether it was throwing boots around, riding toy hobby horses or erecting a washing line adorned with undergarments onstage there wasn’t a single dull moment in Papa Shango’s performance. The only negative I can find to say is that it was hard to know where to look in order to catch all of the action all the time. If I had to sum up the show tonight I would say Papa Shango definitely have to be seen to be believed and I would encourage anyone to go along and give them a watch, you’ll probably never forget it if you do!

Papa Shango

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