Nice bit of bass. Sounds good, that, I like that. It's got a good atmosphere. The singing's alright. They've got something a bit unique. I quite like it, without putting my finger on anything specific. It's interesting
Tim Burgess, The Charlatans - popworldpromotes.com
Who doesn't like to dance to some funky, catchy tunes every now and again? You? Ok then fun-time, maybe Hertford's finest isn't for you....but for the rest of us happy-go-lucky fellows here at SPM, sometimes we like something as different and totaly unashamedly good as what these guys are offering. A breath of fresh air and a resounding thumbs up.
Strange Place Music
Saturday saw Deco mark their debut gig at the Water Rats Theatre with a majestic and resplendent performance that had revellers swept up in a vortex of funk-fuelled electro-hypnotic-intensity.
Deco got the night underway with their opening track ‘Lights Out’, performed in a supremely confident and carefree manner and delivered with the sincerity and panache of well seasoned campaigners. With their second track, Deco stepped up a gear with their recent set-list addition ‘Forget the Fear’, Sonny’s captivatingly catchy guitar licks locked horns with Ollie’s solid funky bass lines, and from here on the highlights come quick and fast. Deco simply dazzled, and it was a real treat to experience a band, who, are unquestionably, on top of their game right now.
In a slightly longer than normal set, refined versions of older songs ‘The Distance’, ‘No Questions’, and ‘22’ sounded more professional, much tighter and particularly more upbeat. Deco rounded off their night with their latest anthem and probably the most outstanding song in their set ‘Start It All Over Again’ which Brian sung note perfectly, and backed up fervently with harmonies from Ollie.
It is obviously apparent, after Saturday nights performance, that Deco, have hit upon a winning formula when capturing the attention of their audience. They write spellbindingly decent songs that most up-and-coming bands would trade their grannies in for, and for a band that only ram-raided their way onto the Capital’s gigging circuit barely eighteen months ago, tonight, for Deco, was an aesthetic success.
Adam Parrott - Independent Music Reviewer
...WHAM!! On comes Deco and they reassure me that this night is going to be a good one. The melodic guitar riffs from guitarist Sonny are truly awesome, particularly on the song “Air” and when it’s combined with the funkiness of the bass lines from Ollie (who also provides backing vocals) on songs like “22” the room literally shakes with excitement and energy. As Deco are our first act, the venue is not quite as packed as it could be but this doesn’t deter Drummer Dave’s apocalyptic drumming and Front man Brian from brimming with unassuming confidence as he tells the crowd; “Everyone’s deserted us to watch the Brits. Which is a shame because we’re fucking good” And he’d be right.
So, by the buoyancy of the crowd it was clear everyone had had a fantastic night of music. All the bands had achieved something. I felt that The Beat Poets had left with the Audience trophy due to their energetic performance, but in my eyes it was certainly Deco that stole the show musically on this occasion.
Mark Mathews - Glasswerk.co.uk
Extremely successful WGC outfit present a fairly spooky, haunting, very well written number with a riff you’ll be humming for the rest of the day. Amazingly atmospheric, through the use of powerful, emotive vocals and brilliantly subtle lead guitar, this demonstrates exactly the talent this band has and why they have had some very high profile gigs over the summer. What I particularly liked was how, as the solo kicks in, it puts a new angle on the song. Another classic from another great band.
By Will Horsman, UpFrontandSideways.com
"Deco's sound is both refreshing and innovative, definitely a band to be looking out for in 2006. An undiscovered secret"
Virgin Extreme Unsigned
A fusion of indie-funk, this four-piece outfit from Hertfordshire have already tasted success with slots at this year’s Guilfest music festival and are regulars on the Herts/Essex and London circuits.
They have also scored no 1 hits in the Overplay Indie Charts (www.overplay.co.uk/deco), with Seen Something Better, Byron and The Distance.
With the UK music scene hotter than ever, wouldn’t it be great to see one of the area’s local bands hit the big time? Front man Brian McHugh kicked things off in 2003, recruiting Dave (drums) and Ollie (bass). The band played their first handful of gigs as a three-piece but soon after recruited lead guitarist Sonny, to complete the line up. Amongst their diverse musical influences the band name Clapton, Oasis, The Beatles and even Marvin Gaye, all of which are evident in their unique sound. They’re also passionate about fellow local bands, tipping Teflon Child, 66 Kicks, Black Cab and The Logans for greatness.
There is no better way to sample the Deco experience than to catch them live at one of their upcoming gigs (see above). Also, track the boys’ progress by logging on to www.decomusic.co.uk where you can download their latest sounds (check out the live acoustic set at Sky nightclub) and keep up to date with their busy rise to stardom. Deco, we salute you.
October 2005 - Gorgeous Magazine
The night closed with new band Deco's first ever performance. Their warm, upbeat sound had a refreshingly relaxed and summery mood. Simple and understated melodies worked with funky bass and drums, to create an original and disarmingly uncomplicated sound.
KT Raincoat, Welwyn & Hatfield Times - April 2004
Deco are the kind of band which, write songs that become the soundtrack to your summer, serving up a tasty-treat of up-beat melodies with a chorus that will rattle around inside your head for days.
This four piece band from Hertfordshire are breaking out onto the London scene, and rightfully so after earning their stripes from vigorously touring the local circuit. The past twelve months has seen Deco go from strength to strength. They have grown in stature, picking up a large following along the way. The vocals have matured and the sound has beefed-up, enabling the song’s to blossom. Their sound is a melting-pot of Soft Rock, Soul and Funk, even daring to dip their toes into the waters of Folk. One thing’s for sure, with their vibrant sounds and the ability to write honest songs Deco are a breath of fresh air.
Adam Parrott - Jan 2005
DECO…. Nice janglesome guitar motifs and big bold basslines lead the way for these melancholic harmony merchants
Bugbear Bookings - March 2005