Berlin-based Brit Josh Christopher introduced his new band set-up, with members Pierre Leck and Rene Corbett, via an engaging indie-pop single ‘Mother Of Pearl’ and an altered name, from WEIRDO to WEIRDO + CO. As a singular artist, JC has proved himself consistently as one who can write a seriously good, slightly left-wing and instantly catchy tunes, with ‘Butter’, ‘Armanio’, ‘Attitude’ and ‘Sapphire’ all easily making it onto TMR. If you were going to say one thing was missing from these releases, it would be the live element, something this newly formed trio make up for in spades with the high-energy guitars, drums and vocals that bring to mind that peak moment at a live gig; most likely in a city basement venue where eager fans hear that one song and launch into a frenzy of jumping, dancing and singing or shouting along to their favourite lyrics. Compared to the production heavy ancestors, ‘Mother Of Pearl’ is a riot of living sound, one that we can experience for ourselves when WEIRDO + CO head out on a Europe and UK this March. - HT