Brighton Barfly, 16th March

Brighton rockers My Device need no introduction. If you know your local bands, you would at least be aware that this three-piece were awarded NME’s ‘Sony Walkman Breaking Band’ award in 2006. XYZ’s Nats Spada braved the wind on a Sunday evening to check out their final UK tour date at the Barfly.

What I love about My Device is that they don’t look like typical musos with perfect hair and tight jeans. They look like normal blokes that you could have a friendly pint with down your local pub and maybe this is what makes them so compelling. Singer Todd Jordan mentions after their opening song that they’re excited about playing tonight because they can walk home. I rest my case.

Their set is full of alternative punk rock energy with distorted guitar and bass. Add to that jerky unusual vocals and frantic moves and these guys have a very original combination. A song that really sticks out is forthcoming single ‘Fountain of Youth’ with its catchy hook “I listen to track one, I listen to track six.”

Sometimes, excellent bands in Brighton have the misfortune of playing a gig on the same night. Tonight, unfortunately, Foals were playing to a sold out Concorde2. This notably affected the Barfly’s turn out but the band took this in their stride, thanking the audience for only paying two pounds less to come along tonight.

My Device may have not had the sold out show tonight but they sure had the passion and conviction of a band playing to thousands.

Words by Nats Spada
Photos by Joel Smedley