Although DiS gigs are not usually reviewed on the site, for this particular band’s performance a resounding ‘fuck it’ seems to be the consensus. The reason DiS policy has been bent so fervently in this case lies in the absolute brilliance of Karmakops’ first London gig. Already heralded as “fucking brilliant” when seen on the fringes of In the City (see The Toilet Circuit Diaries #2), this Manchester based three-piece manage to roll ska-like stomps (‘Ad break’), sprawling melodies (‘Creatures’, ‘The Man Who Stole the Sun’) and vicious guitar barrages (‘Not my Problem’) into their freshly honed and energetic set. With lead vocals falling effortlessly from scream to short spark, and still managing to stop off somewhere in between when necessary, the lead vocalist’s delivery is the epitimy of controlled force. It is therefore left to the rhythm section to provide the falsetto BV’s that underpin some of the catchiest tunes I’ve heard in a long time. The fact that I had at least three of their songs on repeat in my head not only made the bus journey home less irritating, but is also a testament to this band’s immediately infectious qualities.

As tunefully raucous as early Supergrass and as exciting as anything to come from, uh, anywhere else this year – on tonight’s set, Karmakops are an essential new British band. For a group whose crafted tunes and tight performance stand miles above so many others, it seems obvious that these guys have been playing live for quite some time... this is of course, bollocks - tonight was only their secong gig. Unmissable.

photo by Liliana Dmitrovic