Playing songs about the goriest aspects of the Victorian era, Steampunk band Men Who Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, deliver an hour of music and comedy. But fret not, the only hideous murders are those of many a pint of beer. Comedians Andrew O’Neill and Marc Burrows are both on guitar, making up half of the band which also consists of lively character Gerhard ‘Andy’ Heintz on vocals and saw, and drummer Jez Miller who was absent on this occasion.
Complete in relevant attire, from silk waistcoats to Steampunk style goggles, the band open their set with amusing songs about days out in London consisting of trips to the local mental institution and the medical benefits of relieving oneself. Their strong London accents and witty lyrics are met with laughter and applause from the crowd, and this is continued when O’Neill takes the stage alone to deliver some stand-up material from his solo show Andrew O’Neill is Easily Distracted. With newly-dyed jet black hair, ‘like a raven’s wing,’ O’Neill delights the audience with his random little nonsensical musical jokes, the perils of cross-dressing and the unwanted attention he attracts when carrying his guitar case around in public.
After he welcomes the ‘other half’ of his band back onstage, the trio belt out some more songs about trips to the moon and Charles Darwin, which features an excellent a capella breakdown section with some great harmonising from all three musicians.
Next up, Marc Burrows is left to his own devices to do some stand-up, using material from his own show An Indie Boy’s Guide To Sex And Girls. Although very quiet up until now, the cheeky, fresh-faced young comedian really comes into his own during his short but sweet stand-up performance in which he talks about his various bad haircut choices and his schoolboy memories.
During the final part of their set, it is clear that O’Neill is incredibly tired, as he revealed both at the beginning of the show and during his stand-up set. Nevertheless, he soldiers on and the band deliver their final few songs, ending with a relatively new track about Jesus Christ being a ‘cockney’. The lyrics and animated performance had the audience doubled over and singing along during the catchy chorus. A great end to a brilliantly entertaining show.
