It’s the little things that make all the difference.

The Lex Records event ‘Crush’ that took place at Cargo last Sunday night (originally scheduled to be at Hearn Street Car Park, then because of a licensing mix up got moved to the arches) was a little different.

You knew it was going to be good when you walked up to the entrance of Cargo and saw that Marty McFly himself had turned up to party.

yeah, ok, so the Back To The Future reference is very obvious but this iconic car was the star of the night. Neon Neon’s ‘Stainless Style’ album, that the superband played almost in it’s entirety tonight, is a concept album based around the DeLorean’s creator, John Z Dolorean and his life, so it was only right that one of the 9,000 editions of the ill-fated automobile made an appearance early on.

Support came in two forms. First Heartbreak, newly signed to the Lex label and managed by Piers ‘Vice Magazine’ Martin, and are one of those bands who are so intrinscially linked with this ‘scene’ that you doubt they ever went through the rigmorol of shopping a demo, which of course makes you instantly hate them. It’s only by the end of their blinding set of over-the-top disco blips and fierce showmanship that they’ve won you around. It’s actually disco done good. I think the big wigs here were taken with them too, they’ve booked them for the next yard party.

Wille Ilz was run of the mill. There’s nothing worse than being a big hip hop fan and watching decent tunes being murdered live by a half arsed delivery, muddy mic and no onstage presence. This wasn’t as bad as that, but it wasn’t too great either.

But tonight was all about Neon Neon, the supergroup of Gruff Rhys, Boom Bip, Har Mar Superstar and Cate Le Bonn, and the 80′s inspired, synth led, bashment dipping, swirling melody fused music that they create.

Boom Bip synth’s authenticity was the key to creating a geniune 80′s soundscape without making it sound like a pastiche or cheap. Gruff’s ease as frontman is un-nerving, it helps having played infront of millions and millions I guess, but his relaxed banter and effortless singing makes you draw you to the songs and the visuals. (Gruff obviously really wanted us to focus on the visuals, prefering to bend down or sit, rather than slightly obscure the massive screen with his head.

Har Mar superstar is the complete opposite. A ball of trying, groin thrusts and sweat, the freaky little pornographic gump is completely off-putting, whilst at the same time being very very endearing. I can’t really get my head round it but I can’t think of better person to belt out Naeem Juwan’s filthy raps.

But again it’s Boom Bip and The Furries frontman’s songwriting that really pulled focus, with translation from record to the live stage bettered by the visuals, the showmanship and ease in performance. Neon Neon made you realise that you settle for a lot less when seeing a band now adays, and it’s only when you see a really good band, like this superband, that you realise every band should be this good. And don’t derserve your applause if they’re not.

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THANKS TO CLAUDIO AND ED FIELD FOR THE PHOTOS

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