It List: Thursday 3/8/07
Deerhoof/Experimental Dental School/Macromantics (Gypsy Tea Room): Deerhoof is probably one of the most polarizing bands I can think of. Most people I know either think they are brilliant or simply can't stand them, and many in the latter camp cite lead singer Satomi Matsuzaki's vocals as their chief complaint. To be honest, I'm not crazy about the way she sings either, but after spending some time with the past three Deerhoof records, I have to say that her vocals, while not always a highlight, don't do much to detract from the overall Deerhoof experience. Although the Observer recently referred to guitarist John Dieterich's playing as "Sonic Youth inspired," I really don't see the comparison at all, and I certainly don't think Deerhoof sound even a bit like any period of Sonic Youth that I can recall. Instead, the band's child-like avant experiments seem to pull from countless sources all at once, with prog rock, free jazz, punk and 60's psych pop all standing as clear reference points. But no matter how you might describe the sound of the music or the vocals, the point seems to be that Deerhoof's songs, abstract and sometimes annoying upon first listen, grow and change as you engage in repeat listens, and it is through this process that you find the compelling balance between the experimental and the pop that make them completely worth devoting your time to. I've never seen them live before, and I've heard mixed things, but I'm looking forward to finding out for myself. Experimental Dental School's harsh, synth heavy circus dance punk seems like it will be a nice opener for Deerhoof, and Macromantics is surprisingly decent for a former Noise Addict member Australian girl hip hop group. What a mouthful.
The Howling Hex/Tame...Tame and Quiet (Rubber Gloves): Neil Haggerty has a long and twisted career and I consider myself an admirer even if I actually find much of what he has done puzzling. I'm sure I'm not alone in that sentiment and I'm also sure that it bothers him not in the slightest to be perceived that way. Everything from his groundbreaking guitar playing in Pussy Galore, the anarchic classic rock revisionism of Royal Trux, through some impossible solo work, and even the borderline Tarantula-like gibberish of his first book, all paint a picture of a thoroughly complicated human being. His newest project, The Howling Hex, is at Rubber Gloves tonight and I think it's some of the most accessible work he's done since his terrific batch of songs on Historia de la Musica Rock or even Cats and Dogs. There's a confident swagger to the music that recalls the egomaniacal turns Eric Burdon took in his solo career and that's something I've always enjoyed in an artist's evolution. His style of guitar playing also proves that just because the Allman Brothers suck, people influenced by them don't necessarily have to. One more thing: Though incredibly spotty, Royal Trux's records have aged about a hundred times better than Jon Spencer's. Tame...Tame and Quiet is probably the best local band that plays almost exclusively at "proper" clubs and their spartan indie-prog will compliment the Hex's guitar heroics well.
80's Night With DJ G (Hailey's)
Lost Generation With DJ Wanz Dover (Fallout Lounge): Wanz promises: new tracks from The Stooges, War Wizards, LCD Sound System, Battles, [A]pendics.Shuffle, Coil vs Venetian Snares, Simian Mobile Disco, Surkin, !!! and Klaxons.
posted by Defensive Listening at 2:26 PM
32 Comments:
friend opportunity is so amazing.
that's so true, meg. please keep the truth tap on for all the sheeple.
Hope to see you all at the show
hope to see you too myles. golly gee.
Saw Deerhoof at the Galaxy club ages ago. Singer in a bunny suit and drummer with no shoes. Crazy broken toy keyboard whirls all over that album. I'm amazed they have endured long enough to finally gain popularity with the whole indie cooler than thou world.
I can't wait for the show tonight, hopefully it will be a good dance party as friend opportunity is hip hop heavy.
quote: "Saw Deerhoof at the Galaxy club ages ago."
AND
quote: "I'm amazed they have endured long enough to finally gain popularity with the whole indie cooler than thou world."
Judging by your first quote I'm interested to know what world you think you exist in.
not your world defensive douchebag
BURN
I saw that show, that was great. Was that when they opened for Unwound? Those days are hazy now.
geez 4:30 and 4:31 did someone get their Leetle feelings hurt....
ya whack
I'm looking forward to Deerhoof. I really enjoy most of what they have done, especially over the last 3 albums/eps. It is fairly strange to see them get a 4-star review from Rolling Stone though... didn't think I'd ever see that day.
no deerhoof interview?
no justin timberlake interview?
no shins interview?
you guys are slacking.
allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery...
"But no matter how you might describe the sound of the music or the vocals, the point seems to be that Deerhoof's songs, abstract and sometimes annoying upon first listen, grow and change as you engage in repeat listens, and it is through this process that you find the compelling balance between the experimental and the pop that make them completely worth devoting your time to."
1. "No matter how you describe" - Really? No matter how?
2. "the point seems to be" - Seems? Seems to be? That's a solid statement.
3. "sometimes annoying upon first listen" - Well, I can't tell you how often I've thought, "You know, this is irritating the shit out of me, but I think I'll give it another go until maybe I trick myself into liking what all the cool kids are talking about."
Seriously, I've never heard Deerhoof and until I read your preview I wanted to. Now, DL, if you never, ever proofread what you write before posting it I won't be surprised, but if you suddenly start, maybe there is one up there and just maybe he/she has heard me.
o.k.- just go start yerself a fuggin' blog if wsjr ain't smokin' yer crank in just such a way, fuckface!
actually I wrote that. And thanks for the help... maybe I shouldn't have used the word "seems" in that sentence, I'll give you that. Got anything else?
Doubt it. The rest of your post is completely pointless. I'm sure you'll keep reading my blog every day though, and I'll keep thanking you for it.
the snobs have run amok!
This comment has been removed by the author.
blah stonedranger, the whole "you're gonna keep reading my stupid inane blog"yergh blech comebacks are tired. defensive listenings little wanna be weak jabs are tired, this whole schtick is tired and no i wont be coming back here to read your milky shit but go ahead and post the same pitiful retort because i told you to.
dearhoof is the best because they're music pioneers. and they are annoying to the full but its cute annoying, like the singer sings funny and its really cute sometimes. i think she is from china. the guitars are really complicated and drums are really loud. They are the best because they play fun stuff, and seems like they are really big goofs in real life. i can't wait to see them play.
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Again, thanks for posting the shows. It's one thing, the only thing that I know of, that you're good for. You just shouldn't speak your opinion about the bands. The more you talk about bands on here, the less I want to hear them. Just post the names of the bands and where they're playing. End of story.
i'm beginning to think that this whole thing is just some really bad creative writing assignment.
Has anyone here heard/seen the Howling Hex's "You can't beat tomorrow"? The Theater Fire was his backing band on it, and I'm interested to know if they backed him up last night. Anyone go?
deerhoof was cool, but their sound sucked. guitars were buried in the mix. drummer is fucking amazing. really talented band.
only problem, they incorporate electronics into the album, but dont do them live. therefore the album sounds dandy, but live it is lackluster. very good band, but i wanted to hear some subwoofers rumble.
No. I can't imagine the Theater Fire partaking in the cock-rock that happened last night. Maybe Hogpig or Sorta.
last night at Deerhoof if you were standing to the side of the stage near the hallway the sound was amazing, the guitar was so loud and the drums were booming. I thought it was an amazing show, really good for the drums/bass/guitar set up. And all that ferocious guitar sound was coming out of a 35 watt K amplifier.
812, you're back right now, right?
bang bang cops and robbers
bang bang robbers and cops
bang bang rob that bank
put'em in jail
put'em in jail
salamae!
god dearhoof is sooooo bad ---why does anyone like them? cause its cool to like them? i cant stand when people like something just because of the lable their on--i hope thats not the case --
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