Electric Cake Salad have an unusual line-up in that they are a rocking band who are using programs while they play, which perhaps isn’t surprising seen they are as influenced by classic electro and techno as much as they are by rock. Steve Gianolio-Jones (guitar, vocals, programming), Roberto Leaver (bass) and Mick Morrell (guitar, backing vocals), say they are influenced by Mudhoney, Flux Pavillion, Magnetic Man, Metallica, Iggy Pop, Hawkwind, Motorhead, Faith No More, old skool rave, hip hop, dance and electronica, and that definitely comes through in their music. To my ears they missed out some obvious ones such as Poisoned Electrick Head, Chemical Brothers, The Orb and Monster Magnet, and the result is something which is grungy space rock with a filthy ugly deep bass sound yet is still something people can dance to.

It takes a lot of nerve to stand up in front of an audience with a drum machine instead of a sweating octopus, but there is no doubt that the audience at last year’s Tannerfest Festival lapped it up. They are probably best known for singles “Baby Firefly”, which was nominated for ‘Best Single Of The Year’ in the TBFM (Now HRH) Music Industry Awards in 2015, while their second single “Dimenticato” was the most requested track of 2016 on HRH Radio, and both songs feature in the 13 song. They enjoy what they are doing, and we are even treated to a small section of “Mirror In The Bathroom” at one point, but they save the best to last. Having played dance all night, with those guitars and bass, they finish with Sabbath’s “N.I.B.” turned into something which is either genius or sacrilege depending on your viewpoint (although interestingly the audience seem not to recognise it). Me? I think’s it awesome.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.electriccakesalad.co.uk/
https://www.flickniferecords.co.uk/