5.29.2004

 

[Don't smoke cigarettes / Don't take any drugs / Don't go out at night / Just ....]

whoa. the Tiramisu + Zircon Gov Pawnstarz (ZGPS) gig totally RAWKED!! Tiramisu was awesome. i distinctly remember saying "with a name like that how could they possibly be bad?" ^^; in any case they're a lot more rock than ZGPS is, in a very melodic-dancey and head-bangy kinda way. to quote calvin, heavy influences from U2 and Joy Division. they certainly have the talent, although their stage presence cannot compare to ZGPS (yet). Tiramisu are recording their debut album now, and that's definitely something to look forward to in the near future. (not to mention make my wallet another $20 lighter)

ZGPS live was even better than in the album, maybe it was the spontaneity or the sound system, i can't quite put my finger on it. their style can best be described as punk-electroclash.. (apologies to those i've tried to define their music style to previously) and when i found the same people headbanging to both the more-rock Tiramisu and the more-dance/electro ZGPS, it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps the reason why electroclash is more accessible (and therefore popular, though others may beg to differ) is because it combines elements of 80's pop, the dark undertones of goth (stereotypically anyway), the riffs of rock - in itself wildly popular, the attitude of punk and the beats of modern dance (mostly house i think), each of which already has an established fan base. If anybody needs to write a paper on electroclash, don't forget to acknowledge me ^^;

ZGPS' stage presence was undeniable.. and unmistakable. mostly because all 3 are seasoned performers in their own right, and it shows. the part where X'Ho and Sue-Sue Law exchanged dialogue in thai and french over a song (forgot which already) was inspired, and special guest MC Sleepwalker was riotous on stage. but the best bit was the audience interaction over tom neville's "just ****".. which as you may have guessed, is the title of the post. it's always wonderfully reassuring to hear 1) something you're familiar with and 2) something you LIKE at an alien venue surrounded by many people you don't know (although some were cute ^^; ).. that said, though, calvin's familiar with the tune and not me..

the only bummer was the fact that the venue was about 1/3 - 1/2 full, though i guess that's more due to capacity of the place (i estimate it as 400) than any fault on Tiramisu or ZGPS' part. It's still a subculture - just like those breakdancers in the underpass between citylink and the esplanade - but it's growing. And unfortunately, as much as I wish it wasn't so, punk-electroclash is still less accessible to your average joe than downtempo (such as The Observatory). even i must admit that i play downtempo on my cd player more. =
can't remember the last time i had so much fun. The Observatory's playing a late-night gig at the same place (esplanade theatre studio) in early july, 2 nights performance.. let me know if you wanna go quick. I'm worried the tix might sell out.

Tom Neville - chorus from Just ****

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Don't smoke cigarettes
Don't take any drugs
Dont' go out at night
Just ****
(repeat)

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whee!

timestamp: anonymous 21:25 0 comments