Daemonia Nymphe do know how to put on a show. Costumes, masks, ancient Greek instruments - made especially for them by craftsman Nikolaos Brass, and a dancer. On Sunday, they were presenting their new album, "Psychostasia".  
Spyros Giasafakis and Evi Stergiou, the core members of Daemonia Nymphe, have worked for film and theatre (in particular The Theatre Lab Company), and it shows in their taste for the subtly dramatic; they also know how to surround themselves with talented musicians, and joining them on Sunday were among others Tanya Jackson (whom I had seen perform before with the Mediaeval Baebes) and ex-Dead Can Dance member Peter Ulrich - I still remember reviewing his fabulous album "Enter The Mysterium" years ago, so was particularly chuffed to see him there!  
Also present was dancer/model/actress Denise Moreno. 
Hypnotic, evocative and full of Ancient Greece's rhythms and flavours, Daemonia Nymphe's world is infused with myths and legends and carries the words and stories of Hellenic literature. 
This is dark, ritualistic, spellbinding music, plucked from ancient times to speak to the soul of modern audiences. 

To conclude, I would just add a word or two about the audience. Everyone should be proud of themselves: attentive and respectful of the silent/quiet bits in the sets, holding their breath at the end of each song before applauding enthusiastically. It was just a pleasure to be there. 
I have heard so many negative things recently about acoustic/quiet sets being completely spoilt by drunken idiots, blasé crowds speaking over artists and heckling... 


Well done, everyone. 

Just opposite Broadcasting House, you can find the imposing and rather fabulous Langham Hotel. Quick literary diversion here: the hotel was popular with writers such as Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle - whose Sherlock Holmes stories The Sign of Four and Scandal in Bohemia are partly set there! - and Oscar Wilde...   

Then we were off to the Islington O2 Academy for some choons... 

Another favourite of mine: Erich Lederer by Egon Schiele. The young man looks like he is straight out of a silent movie. 

I have written a small review/introduction for the French webzine La Magicbox of Monster Jaw's first release, the Get a Tattoo EP. You will find the English version below and both English and French versions are now on The Magicbox website. ENGLISH HERE and FRENCH HERE.  
Oh, and a quote from the review is now on their latest online promo! :-)

At the risk of sounding like an old cynic, I have to admit that nowadays, I tend to question the motivations behind the emergence of a new band. My years as a music journalist are over now, but during that time, I have encountered countless outfits who, although talented enough, didn’t have the chops to confront the realities of the music business: they wanted to make it NOW and were not ready to wait for fame to come knocking – or make the necessary efforts to achieve it.

I used to know a well-known music producer who founded his own small music label, then signed a few young bands – who were all excellent – on a generous 50/50 deal; he even sold some of his personal possessions to finance the whole venture.
Unfortunately, within a few years, it was over: apathy, impatience and lack of real artistic motivation from the bands killed off the fledging label, and the producer, disgusted, moved to Norway. He carries on producing and creating music because it is his passion. None of the bands are still active.
I can predict that somehow, there is no risk of any of this happening with Monster Jaw – or at least, they’ll have a good go at it. 

Formed in February 2013, Monster Jaw hails from the Northern cities of Leeds and Bradford. There’s frontman, guitarist and songwriter Mik Davis, bassist Neil Short – whose tattoo is featured on the EP cover – and drummer John Bradford.
Mik Davis, whose previous work with New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack and Utopian Love Revival produced brilliant tracks and attracted rather a lot of attention, also produces other artists - read my review of Mik's collaboration with Joolz Denby, The Black Dahlia, which he has also produced, HERE. 

This is a band with a real artistic, creative edge and a mind of its own – how could it be any different when you are managed by iconic artist, writer, poet and tattoo artist Joolz Denby, who is also the band’s official artist.
The trio have also been endorsed by clothing label FLY53 and produce DIY, bonkers videos which are miles away from the over-produced, slick mainstream monstrosities in vogue nowadays.
They describe their music as “Garage grunge” and if I tell you that their interviews are peppered with references to people like Iggy And The Stooges, Bush, The Cramps, Jesus and Mary Chains and The Doors, you will have a pretty good idea of their musical influences.
Monster Jaw know that one of the best ways to build up a following is to work on your social media and play, play, play… They have already built up a great live reputation and have been opening for the legendary New Model Army on three dates of their current UK tour.
This three-track EP is a taster of the album to come next year. It was recorded with London-based Belgian engineer/producer Wes Maebe (The Libertines, New Model Army, Roger Walters, Robert Plant among others).
Title track Get a Tattoo is a seductive tribute to the art of tattooing with a heavy, sonorous guitar. Summer Girl is a more playful, bouncy and energetic proposition with a punky, spunky guitar. Perfect to have your head turned.
Then there’s the fast and fierce We Don’t Care About Anything which stands at less than two minutes, enough to mock our brainless consumerism, trend-led society.
The three tracks on this EP are instantly memorable and catchy and show off the band’s musicianship and Mik’s vocal range.
Monster Jaw are ready for you; but are you ready for Monster Jaw?

Head HERE to purchase Get a Tattoo.
Read an interview with Monster Jaw HERE.
More videos HERE.