Fans of fun rock music in the greater New York area might want to go to Northsix (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) tonight. Why? Deerhoof is playing there, and it's the last stop on their tour before they head across the Atlantic for a week of shows in the UK (then the next leg of their tour starts out on the Pacific coast). Binky and I checked 'em out last night. They are very hard to classify - but their unusual (I want to say wacky, but that's too easily misinterpreted) sound is really enjoyable. Few musicians can manage to be a little cutesy and edgy and then produce something rather interesting out of that mixture. But Deerhoof has managed to do it.
UPDATE: I was working on this, but Armand finished first. I'm going to append to "extended entry" instead of putting it in the comments.
You are quicker to post than I, Armand...my Deerhoof review below (and yes, I wrote down the word quirky in the notes I took during the show).
Deerhoof passed through Small Town USA last night, giving us what must be a record two national acts in four days (with Rasputina on Saturday). This San Francisco quartet creates eclectic, cerebral indie rock. For cerebral, don't think lyrics, think musicianship. They are a bare bones quartet (bass, two guitars, and a drum kit that it just 1 snare, 1 bass and high hat) that generates innovative indie nonetheless.
The no nonsense presentation extends to their stage presence. With Greg Saunier, John Dieterich, Chris Cohen and Satomi Matsuzaki wearing jeans or shorts and soccer jerseys, they look like your grad student downstairs neighbors. They rotate the vocals among the string players, but Matsuzaki steals the show. With her diminuitive presence and sweet high vocals, it seems at first that Matsuzaki provides a delicate overlay to the harder musical edge. But her intense focus and martial-arts derived (?) stage movements mix things up, and prevent easy stylistic characterization.
That's true of the act in general, as they move from sudden halts to repeated melodies (and lyrics - Peppercorn!?), louder rock and softer melodies. This variation, with complicated, almost jazzy grooves (but no jam band indulgent wankery) keeps the variety listenable instead of tortured.
Deerhoof get bonus points in my book for being friendly and accessible. They didn't act put out to be in West Virgina (yes, I'm talking about you Spoon) and ended up making fun poses with fans while selling their merch after the show. Deerhoof have a 15 minute EP out now, but their next full length (Kill Rock Stars) drops next month. MP3s here.
Posted by armand at September 28, 2005 02:44 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Music