Ok Go, Ok Yes!

Last night I went along with my flatmate to see the excellent Ok Go. I hadn't really heard much of their stuff beforehand, except for the publicity surrounding their DIY home dancing video for "A Million Ways". Or so I thought.

We cruised along to Scala in Kings Cross, which is a pretty cool and relatively small venue. We were there early enough to catch both the support acts. The first was one guy with a ridiculously long performance name that I can't remember at all. Something Slap....Something Fish? He resembled a better looking Jamie Cullem and played much better acoustic-y pop rock. Also apparently from Essex.

The next band the Bright Space came on to dry ice and the theme from James Bond (You only Live Twice, I think). A slightly poncey start but they proved they had the goods. They were pretty impressive and rocked out the crowd. Although I swear I recognised almost all their guitar riffs from other bands but still they poached from the greats - The Cure, Radiohead etc. Also they seem to specialise in clones - their bassist was the splitting image of a young Alex James (complete with the classic casual side to side head nod) while the actor Alan Davies was on drums.

Then it was onto the main act. Ok Go came onto the Stones "Miss You" and a very groovy wallpaper slideshow. Very cool! I swear they had at least 5 different wallpaper designs from houses I have lived in as a child. Got to love that 70s design.

Anyway the band was amazing! They are very much that American Californian style peppy indie rock. They reminded me of a much happier Weezer. Really up-beat and fun. As they progressed through their excellent set, I realised I actually knew some of their songs. One song “Get Over It” I’m sure I heard on an ad somewhere. At one point, just between songs, my flatmate Liz yelled out “You’re so damn hot” quite loudly. I agreed with her that the lead singer was attractive but possibly not quite that sexy, but then as they launched into the track “You’re So Damn Hot” I realised that I had a) that song on a mix cd and b) really liked that track. So Liz and I had a good boogie to that one.

They ended the night with a rendition of their now famous “Million Ways” dance routine which is absolutely hilarious, as you can see below. Seeing them do it live was even funnier.



It was a wicked night and I am now converted. Ok Go kick ass.