Digital, 27th November 2008

Out to promote “Dope Fiend”, their new single (and illustrated comic), Audio Bullys -Tom and Simon plus a guest drummer – popped into Digital as part of a three date tour. Playing before the Audio Bullys, the Nextmen did a wicked job of hyping the crowd. “If We Ever” by High Contrast and DJ Zinc’s “Super Sharp Shooter (remix)” are always a pleasure to hear and were excellent choices to end their set.

Easily their most famous tune “Shot You Down (Bang Bang)” made the first of a couple of appearance early in the night. Although the tune got everyone going it was only when it kicked back in, three times heavier, that the bass-driven assault on the crowd began.

Singing and rapping his way through the set, Simon was an engaging mc and frontman, clearly at home on stage. DJ Tom was impressive all evening with “Snake” providing a particular showcase for his skills, tight cuts and scratches, which were integral to the tune. Perhaps the product of drummer Terry not being able to hear properly was that he occasionally appeared lost. Sometimes playing a few bars at random or missing the drop of a tune entirely and coming in a few beats late. This was a shame and could have been easily rectified had he had headphones to hear exactly what was going on, as the parts that did work sounded awesome. Audio Bullys’ “Out of Space” remix received the standard massive reception that greets every Prodigy tune before a seriously heavy reprise of “Shot You Down (Bang Bang)” finished the show.

A perfect summary of the set has to be “We Don’t Care” from debut album “Ego Warriors”, which featured a bassline weighty enough to make it physically impossible to be too close to the speaker stack. What more could you want? 

Words by Chris Leggett

Photography by Rob Rowland