The fashion for bands having utterly stupid names seemed to reach a zenith sometime around late 2007. Following such gems as ‘Test Icicles’ and ‘Shit Disco’, ‘Does It Offend You, Yeah?’ scaled new heights in sheer pretentiousness. Thankfully, their music didn’t.
With a unique take on disco-dance indie punk-rock, the Reading based five-piece sold bundles and toured the world. Hell, even America liked them. Whether most people knew, or even cared about fate’s role in their choice of nomenclature (if you really wanna know, google it) was open to debate, but one thing was sure: they could rock out.

Fast forward to October 2009. DIOY,Y? were in town to road test new material and whip up a frenzy prior to the 2010 release of their second album. A late start in the main room at uber-club Razzmatazz has been a nemesis to many, but as the clock ticked past 3am, the gathered hordes were packed in tight and the air positively cackled with anticipation. Have no doubt, this was an event.

Bounding onto the stage, frontman James Rushent seemed determined not to rest on his laurels. “Are you ready?” he screamed, before grabbing the mic and launching into ‘With A Heavy Heart’. The robotic beat and one-note bassline had heads-a-nodding and hands-a-clapping, and the addition of synth and guitar to the chorus even saw bouts of moshing. ‘Weird Science’, whose sample heavy basis worked surprisingly smoothly live, had James utilising a second, effects-laden mic, and without even pausing for breath, new song ‘Over Your Shoulder’ was upon us. Like a storm of electronic noise with bassist Chloe Deveaux at the centre, it hinted at possible new sonic directions. Think Muse mixed with Daft Punk, on crack. Turned up to 11.

The angular art-rock guitar of ‘Doomed Now’ sounded particularly good, drawing knowledgeable approval, before fan favourite ‘Battle Royale’ loomed into view. With Dan and Matty working their bank of synths for all it was worth, the thumping drum beat turned the front row into a sea of thrashing arms and legs. Paean to love and infidelity ‘Let’s Make Out’ had James leaning out over the crowd screaming, “Too many legs under the table, too many reasons for trouble!” A super-hyper-speed version of ‘Attack Of The 60ft Lesbian’ was followed by another newbie, ‘Monkeys’, a guitar and bass-heavy number with a central refrain of “Eat my shit, suck my dick.” Ironically, or perhaps deliberately, radio friendly unit-shifter ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ was up next, although it sounded a little flat and uninspiring, especially considering what had come before.

Perhaps they were saving themselves for the finale. “This is the last one. Thanks for coming, nice one” ushered in the familiar opening riff of ‘We Are Rockstars’. Cue pandemonium. The moshing down front was mimicked on stage, with James and Dan bouncing all over and drummer Rob beating his kit to within an inch of its life. You almost felt sorry for the DJs who were up next. Having departed looking satisfied with their efforts, it will be interesting to see if their second long player will continue in the vain of the new material, or be more of the same. For the answer to that question, we’ll have to wait. As for the other, well, does it? Yeah mate, it does. But I fucking love it.

By Derek Robertson