LIVE AT PONGMASTERS BALL 2002

The Pongmaster's Ball was a gig held at the Shepherd Bush Empire last year, and it was recorded and made available on both DVD and CD. The DVD also features a documentary showing the band throughout the day, preparing for the gig as well as getting the flavour of the event itself by showing parts of the soundcheck and asking fans what they think of the band. It has a rough and raw feel, as if it is one person with a camcorder and this adds to the overall feel of actually being there. It ends with the band walking onto stage.

This of course leads into the concert proper. Ozrics really are unlike any other band that you can imagine, as they just don't sound like anyone else and are as happy playing dance music as they are playing 'prog'. The line-up is Ed (guitar, synths, wide ears), Champignon (flutes, wide eyes), Zia (bass, thumbs), Seaweed (synths, fingers) and Schoo (drums, tongues). In the small print it states which endorsements each has, and while Zia uses Fender basses and Marshall amps Champignon "plays sticks with holes in 'em".

It is dreamy, it is trance, it is experimental, it is a blend of keyboards/flute/guitar in a way that you will never hear anywhere else, just kept together on the wrong side of sanity by the rhythm section. While Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead were seen as the bands to take drugs to in the Sixties, there is no doubt that this mantle has been taken up by the Ozrics and they are more than happy to oblige.

The sound is spot on and the concert camera work very good indeed, and it is great to be able to see the Ozrics in my front room. Who else can give such a totally solid instrumental performance that leaves the crowd shouting for more?

Originally appeared in Feedback #72, Feb 03