Hailing from Exeter and in the midst of their UK tour, The Computers made a dynamic act for a modest-sized audience at The Scala. And rather apt openers too for the main rockers, And So I Watch You From Afar. Despite the four-piece being neatly clad from head to toe in Brilliant White and going under a name that’s more indie pop than angsty rock, The Computers are anything  but mellow. They swear to blow their onlookers’ ears off (or something to that effect) and proclaim “Tuesday night is the next...Thursday at least?” Well, we’ll see.

The Computers are your standard hardcore punk gig on an impromptu weeknight out, and not at all in a bad way. Group Identity and Music is Dead were amongst the band’s more popular numbers that lead singer Alex Kershaw fervently roared his way through. However SOS, featured on their previous record ‘You Can’t Hide From The Computers’ was arguably the one to get the ball rolling. The vibrant foursome performed the fiery track with its build-up chanting ‘save our souls’, audience compelled to just wait patiently for that gratifying climax of heavy guitar-work and rapid drums. It gets there eventually.

This London venue demands intimacy for its non-intimidating size and Kershaw did not fail to address this. He seemed most ecstatic when whizzing about the audience – avec mic stand and all – and stationing himself in the heart of the strewn crowd, where the handful of truly approving fans bask in the punk-heavy ambience.

Basically, The Computers churn out the sort of noise you know was made to be played live. Theirs is not exactly a listing of tracks bookmarked for its remarkableness but this group certainly give it their all.  Oh, and definitely qualify for Thursday night material. Let’s hope their future work shoots up to Friday slot standards.

The Computers are currently on their UK tour, ending in mid-July.

Their album, This Is The Computers, is out on May 16th.