ATP Presents: Deerhoof @ Scala (In Photos)
Venue: Scala
Date: 01/07/09
Sometimes seeing a band live is akin to moving into the next part of a relationship, the make or break; a disappointing gig can lead to an irrevocable falling out, bitterness, name-calling, or at the extreme end, hatred. Though on the other side, you can discover a new found admiration, and fall deeper in love than ever before. Thankfully, it is the latter with Deerhoof tonight, a healthy appreciation before tonightâs show becoming a deeper infatuation after.
On a London night so warm and sticky you can kiss the air, it is a relief to get inside the Scala (thank you air-con), despite it being packed with perspiring indie folk. An expansive back catalogue of 10 albums is evenly distributed, and with many an elective song at sub three minutes, there is a lot able to be crammed in.
Panda Panda Panda exudes ebullience, sugary vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki mimicking panda eyes and movement in time with the music. Theyâre perfect for onomatopoeia â the happy notes of Fresh Born in particular âBum-te-da-boom-ba-baâ, and Spirits Ditties of No Tone in similar vein, which is quite epic live. As a unit theyâre an awesome force, and individually too.
Of a band of so many years, it is a delight to see each song treated in such a joyous manner; the âHoof are so playful and melodic in sounds and performance you canât stop grinning like a cretin throughout. Whilst at the same time their indie rock intelligence shines through, a perfect synergy.
Thereâs so much love for raw drummer Greg Saunier the audience threaten to reach levels of screaming-girls-at-a-Boyzone-concert-fandom. In between songs he awkwardly saunters up to the mike to do the talking, and comes across as the humblest musician - nay, human - in the world. He neednât be, as Sainier is a ball to watch on the skins, thrashing them to an inch of their lives as the whole kit quivers and shakes. Superb.
Hits such as +81 are excellently applied, and during Basket Ball Get Your Groove On the lights are turned down as Matsuzaki dances whilst holding a neon disco Basketball. At one point Deerhoof hold their guitars aloft for a few minutes to feedback as they exaggeratedly walk in slow motion around the stage, whilst John Dieterich mimics Matsuzakis poses and moves - thereâs just too much fun to be had. Organised chaos at itâs best.
A double encore is a reward for the smiling crowd, finishing on instrumental of old Rainbow Silhouette of the Milky Rain â a fitting end given their previous existence. A couple of covers are thrown in too, including Canned Heatâs Goinâ Up the Country which features Sainier stepping up to the front again, but this time as a vocalist rather than spokesman.
Despite the idiosyncrasies, you never get the feeling they are going to drown in their own tweeness, as theyâre so musically on top of their game. Cacophonous, raw but always sharp and melodic. You get the point; they were beyond superlatives. The perfect fix for filling a post-Glastonbury musical replacement. âYou are now in a relationship with Deerhoofâ.
MP3: Deerhoof - First Born
Panda Panda Panda exudes ebullience, sugary vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki mimicking panda eyes and movement in time with the music. Theyâre perfect for onomatopoeia â the happy notes of Fresh Born in particular âBum-te-da-boom-ba-baâ, and Spirits Ditties of No Tone in similar vein, which is quite epic live. As a unit theyâre an awesome force, and individually too.
Of a band of so many years, it is a delight to see each song treated in such a joyous manner; the âHoof are so playful and melodic in sounds and performance you canât stop grinning like a cretin throughout. Whilst at the same time their indie rock intelligence shines through, a perfect synergy.
Thereâs so much love for raw drummer Greg Saunier the audience threaten to reach levels of screaming-girls-at-a-Boyzone-concert-fandom. In between songs he awkwardly saunters up to the mike to do the talking, and comes across as the humblest musician - nay, human - in the world. He neednât be, as Sainier is a ball to watch on the skins, thrashing them to an inch of their lives as the whole kit quivers and shakes. Superb.
Hits such as +81 are excellently applied, and during Basket Ball Get Your Groove On the lights are turned down as Matsuzaki dances whilst holding a neon disco Basketball. At one point Deerhoof hold their guitars aloft for a few minutes to feedback as they exaggeratedly walk in slow motion around the stage, whilst John Dieterich mimics Matsuzakis poses and moves - thereâs just too much fun to be had. Organised chaos at itâs best.
A double encore is a reward for the smiling crowd, finishing on instrumental of old Rainbow Silhouette of the Milky Rain â a fitting end given their previous existence. A couple of covers are thrown in too, including Canned Heatâs Goinâ Up the Country which features Sainier stepping up to the front again, but this time as a vocalist rather than spokesman.
Despite the idiosyncrasies, you never get the feeling they are going to drown in their own tweeness, as theyâre so musically on top of their game. Cacophonous, raw but always sharp and melodic. You get the point; they were beyond superlatives. The perfect fix for filling a post-Glastonbury musical replacement. âYou are now in a relationship with Deerhoofâ.
MP3: Deerhoof - First Born
