Live Review: PHFAT

It's a typical Saturday night at Laundry Bar: unsuspecting patrons are gyrating to the sound of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing and attempting to 'dougie' to what else but Cali Swag District's Teach Me How To Dougie. It's 10.15pm and South Africa's psychedelic, electro-rap group PHFAT take to the stage. The crowd remains dispersed and somewhat nonchalant in their presence aside from a few fans who have been waiting attentively front-and-centre. After a short intro, rapper Smooth Mike and DJ “Beat Machine” Narch plunge right into their set. Grimy, synth-heavy and layered with dubstep, songs such as House Of Clashes and Church evoke a scene from a black and white horror film that depicts a slimy psycho following an oblivious damsel down a dark alleyway.
There is a constant, ominous presence in much of this music: laser-like sounds and rumbling bass with aggressive lyrics. The crowd vibes with PHFAT and we have no choice but to join in, surrender and let the music take over. Smooth Mike paces around in circles, glares intensely toward the back of the venue and performs zany, twisting dance moves. He not only raps, but also embodies the music. This guy can perform. During third song Animals there is a notable energy shift and the crowd becomes attentive as Smooth Mike urges us to sing along and jump up and down in the chorus. The punters surrender and it's starting to feel like a moshpit of angry baboons in here, just as our ringmaster Smooth Mike ordered.
Lights Out is a real crowd pleaser. With a lot more melody and swagger than grime, which is conducive to a bump and grind, this song takes off with a ubiquitous sound that has the potential for repeat plays in R&B clubs. The entire front row sings along to every word and it's clear PHFAT already have hardcore Australian fans. A puffed-out Smooth Mike picks up their 17-track album Happiness Machines and asks that all those in attendance who liked their music buy this $5 CD and download their music in an aggressive, yet somewhat charming, way. A fan scores the CD as Smooth Mike throws it into the crowd, much to the delight of PHFAT.
Presenting anything but formulaic rap, this duo's music is unique and hard to define, but that's what will set them apart from the rest to earn them the cult following they deserve.