by Donte Kirby
Ears were rocked, bodies were moved and minds were blown by Japanther, The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!, and Unstoppable Death Machines at Ortlieb’s Lounge Wednesday night.
“You’re unstoppable. You’re unstoppable death machines!” That was the last thing brothers Billy and Mike Tucci’s friend screamed to them as he was being committed to an asylum.
Unstoppable Death Machine (photo credit Donte Kirby)
As Unstoppable Death Machines screamed out “Once in A Life Time” off their album We Come In Peace, their friend’s words proved prophetic, because nothing could stop them from putting on a show that sent the head bangers into a frenzy.
Frenzied by the distorted vocals, guitar and heavy drums of Unstoppable Death Machines, the crowd was warmed up for the aerobic pop music that is The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!
Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt (photo credit Donte Kirby)
The purple fort, the dance cypher on an 8×12 floor and a group embrace that would give some of the world’s best kumbayas a run for their money were just some of the set pieces of a performance that had the crowd jumping, dancing and singing along.
“We’re alive. We’re in love. We’ve got hope just because,” is what the whole audience sang while in a circular embrace. These are lyrics from “Ride Friendship” off the album I Love You! I Love You! I Love You and I’m in Love With You! Have an Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life! Yes, that is the title.
Then, the whole bar filled every inch of that 8×12 concert floor when Japanther graced the stage. The crowd jammed out to the tunes as fiercely as Japanther played them. Sending some into a Zen-like sway as they sung along with the lyrics and others into a dancing frenzy.
Japanther (photo credit Donte Kirby)
“Screw the government, whose out there trying to bother people who are just trying to live their lives. This song is not about that,” says Ian Vanek through the trademarked phone receiver microphones.
Social commentary with a comedic flair were the segue way between songs like “Stolen Flowers” and “Wasted Day” off their album Eat Like Lisa Act Like Bart.
“You’re using a different part of your brain, music makes you more open” explains Vanek, “the mix of social commentary, comedy and live music is an ancient tradition that we respect and enjoy.”
The ancient rites were performed masterfully by all three bands at Ortlieb’s Lounge. The audience left to one of the coolest summer nights in recent memory, a sure sign that the ancestors were pleased.
