By Michelle Broder Van Dyke
Imagine Zeus and Ares, up on Mount Olympus sipping cocktails when suddenly they start arguing about Ares’ old-news fling with Aphrodite. What ensues is more then expected, with lightning bolts flying into trees, morphing them into vertical charcoal, and spears being sent high into the sky as vultures descend upon the slain. The members of Genghis Tron brought a little of that mythical drama when they took the stage at Bottom of the Hill on Oct. 6. The band churns out cacophonous metal that waxes and wanes between caliginous grindcore and mellow yet still moody electronica.
Openers Religious Girls from the East Bay stepped in for Yip-Yip, which couldn’t perform due to a member's illness. The group mirrors the point in which Zeus and Ares are still just sipping cocktails: it’s a good moment because you’re drinking, but it’s not unusual enough to order anything less original then a gin and tonic. They played with passion, pounding beats ferociously on multiple drums, with war chants and shrieks that sounded somewhere along the lines of Animal Collective’s “Native Belle” and “The Purple Bottle.” Not to say that I don’t love Animal Collective, but Religious Girls' sound didn’t come off as entirely original.
Clipd Beaks, the onetime Oakland combo, was the lull while you’re trying to get the attention of the bartender to order another drink - hopefully the one that’ll push you from tipsy to drunk. Their sound was simple and synthy. Nic Barbein vocals were filtered with noise as he sang undecipherable lyrics into two mics, once even sticking one into his mouth. Overall, it was like being ignored by the bartender for more than 15 minutes because that more aggressive patron distracts him or her and takes all the attention.
Genghis Tron came on full force, loud as ever and with fluorescent lights below and behind them flashing greens, reds, yellows, in sync with their music - resembling lightning bolts slashing through the sky with all of Zeus’ skill and strength. Vocalist-keyboardist Mookie Singerman sang mostly indiscernible, but obviously ominous, lyrics with a herculean urgency that was infectious.
The band played most of its February 2008 release, Board Up the House, including such favorites as “City on a Hill,” as well as older tracks such as “Arms.” Hamilton Jordan, who handled guitar and drum programming, and Michael Sochynsky, on keyboards and drum programming, maintained both lulling riffs and furious levels of aggression, thrashing about on stage and inspiring the audience to do so as well, as crowd surfers rose above other listeners and slammed against each other in response.
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Comments (3)
Fantastic review. You make me laugh. As far as the band goes, I concur. Ghenghis Tron is, indeed, awesome.
Dan
Posted by Dan | October 9, 2008 12:54 PM
You didnt think Religious Girls was original but you liked that metal-techno bullshit that was Genghis Tron?
Posted by Marshall | October 22, 2008 08:34 PM
Did you know that you are retarded? Not only are religious girls "original, but they are one of the most innovative bands around. Not only are they constantly changing and tweaking there sound, but they are one of the hardest working bands out there. Just because you were getting drunk during their set does not mean that they are unoriginal.
Posted by Dave | October 23, 2008 07:57 PM