Well, I had a bit of an unusual night out last night, thought I'd share it.
Tuesdays are always bad for me - the glow from the weekend has worn off and the bulk of the week is yet to go. Besides, on Tuesdays I do my exercises at 7:30 in the AM at the gym, so by the end of the day I look forward to vegitating at home.
However, my wife had other plans. Turns out that she made a good friend at Carl's Ukranian afternoon school, the mom of a girl Carl's age, and this woman had some tickets to go see a band only playing that night. This person was a good friend of the guy leading this band, and so every time he's in Toronto he gives her free tickets.
Well, I'd never heard of this band, named 'Gogol Bordello', so I naturally assumed they were a small band playing in a bar somewhere. But my wife wanted to go, so we dropped Carl off at his grandparents for a sleepover and went.
We picked up the friend, her sister and sister's BF, and drove to the location where they were playing, in the Port of Toronto area. On the way, the friend described how they met, many years ago, at a traditional Ukranian music fest, before the singer had formed his band; they had been good friends for a long time. Much to my surprise, the venue was huge - and crowded with hundreds of people, all of whom were considerably younger than us, and dressed in variations on punk - plenty of young things with piercings, tattoos, and wearing what amounted to underwear. Our group of 40-somethings in business casuals sorta stood out.
Well, we went to an upstairs balcony in this place, and we were sufficiently late that the opening acts had already played. The band came on, and I must say they were really very good - a sort of ecclectic mix of Klezmer and punk, with Gypsy and Brazillian influences thrown in; the band had a real energy to it, if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf). I'd certainly get their stuff. The lead singer had a great stage act, and looked almost maniacal as he lept about the stage.
Anyway, after the band finished, this friend of my wife decided she wanted to go backstage and meet her buddy, the singer. This proved easier said than done. As it turned out, there were literally scores of punkette groupies who had more or less the same mission in mind, and beefy security guards were busy chucking them out. I just wanted to go home, it being late and having no ambition to meet this fellow and not thinking it at all likely that the security guards would let us through. As it happened, they didn't - but nor did they chuck us out.
I guess our party was a bit of a puzzler for them. We were too old and conservatively dressed to be the usual line of fans, which gave her claim to be a personal friend of the singer credibility, but they were obviously not in the business of letting members of the audience in. We waited in a sort of limbo, amidst the litter of crushed beer cans, while this friend thought of various ways to get through security; they ignored us and busily hunted down - and tossed out with various degrees of force - fans attempting to linger.
Finally, she snagged one of the tee shirt sellers who remembered her, and he went backstage and informed the singer we were here - and in we went.
Backstage the was a drunken, but friendly, party going on. Someone handed me a half-drunk bottle of vodka; the singer dude greeted the friend with a hug and glad exclamations, and they proceeded to chat for the next half hour or so (I could sorta see why she'd left her husband behind!). I was feeling a bit of a fish out of water, not knowing anyone. I joked to my wife that I was probably the only guy in the room who had not heard of the band before that day, which was overheard by the guy who played electric violin in the band - that broke the ice and we ended up chatting with him. A very nice guy. We got to talking about other bands who use electric violin (an instrument I happen to like - used by New Model Army on the album Inpurity, among others).
Anyway, we had a good time, and after some of the band (not the electric violin player) decided to go to a late-night "after party". I had to work, so I begged off; so did the friend. The sister and BF hopped in a van with the band, and we went home.
:o
I hate you so much right now.
Gogol Bordello are good.
They're pretty damn big too. A fair few of my friends would count them as one of their favourites.
Funny you mention the violin player not going out, he always seemed out of place to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kymtsMQur1A :punk:
Quote from: Tyr on April 21, 2010, 09:38:56 AM
:o
I hate you so much right now.
Gogol Bordello are good.
They're pretty damn big too. A fair few of my friends would count them as one of their favourites.
Funny you mention the violin player not going out, he always seemed out of place to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kymtsMQur1A :punk:
I really had no idea. Usually when I'm invited out to see a band by some friend of the band, the reason is to make up numbers in the audience (a crappy bar somewhere). This show was sold out and there were people showing up hoping to buy tickets off of someone.
The violin guy seemed, on briefly chatting, a real gentleman. He's a lot older than the rest, and maybe a bit self-concious about it; they were teasing him about not going to party, and he said he'd rather catch up on reading a good book - I told him he was a man after my own heart (I'm a big-time reader, too).
They sound a *lot* better live than in that clip. They played 'Not a Crime' and it kicked ass (though of course I couldn't make out any of the lyrics to any song).
:punk:
Rock On, Malthus.
The singer also did a great turn in that "Everything is Illuminated" movie, starring Frodo. cool story Malthus.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on April 21, 2010, 12:19:39 PM
The singer also did a great turn in that "Everything is Illuminated" movie, starring Frodo. cool story Malthus.
Heh, I heard about that too - I never saw the movie (guess I will now).
They seem to be one of those bands that one hears about but doesn't hear when listening to a commercial modern rock station. Maybe they're on one of those big concert tours with a dozen other bands, or maybe their ex-drummer is involved with something some other band is doing, or maybe the dj met the band once and thought they were really cool, whatever. You hear the name even though the radio station isn't actually playing any of their stuff unless you're listening on Sunday morning or whenever they have their program for little known/up and coming(but not quite yet) bands.
TLDR.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on April 21, 2010, 12:40:33 PM
They seem to be one of those bands that one hears about but doesn't hear when listening to a commercial modern rock station. Maybe they're on one of those big concert tours with a dozen other bands, or maybe their ex-drummer is involved with something some other band is doing, or maybe the dj met the band once and thought they were really cool, whatever. You hear the name even though the radio station isn't actually playing any of their stuff unless you're listening on Sunday morning or whenever they have their program for little known/up and coming(but not quite yet) bands.
Heh, interesting; I've never even heard
about them before. But it seems they are reasonably famous.
I thought this story would be about Mr. and Mrs. Malthus taking Carl to a local family diner.
Quote from: DGuller on April 21, 2010, 12:59:39 PM
I thought this story would be about Mr. and Mrs. Malthus taking Carl to a local family diner.
Admittedly, that's our more usual night out. :D
I've never heard of this band.
Never heard of this band, but amusing it's the guy from Everything Is Illuminated
Quote from: Caliga on April 21, 2010, 12:44:01 PM
TLDR.
Not very interesting. Malthus went to a concert and spoke with members of the band.
Quote from: garbon on April 21, 2010, 02:08:33 PM
Quote from: Caliga on April 21, 2010, 12:44:01 PM
TLDR.
Not very interesting. Malthus went to a concert and spoke with members of the band.
Look who has come, spreading his usual cheer and joy. :lol:
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 02:18:09 PM
Look who has come, spreading his usual cheer and joy. :lol:
:hug:
You should have shouted "FREEBIRD!" all night.
Quote from: Caliga on April 21, 2010, 02:30:05 PM
You should have shouted "FREEBIRD!" all night.
I could have screamed literally anything all night, and it would have made no difference. Can't fight the amplifiers. :D
I am always a bit puzzled by Canadians' fondness for bands. HKers love loud music too, but it is really difficult to get popular as a band here. Most popular musicians are lone or duo singers who don't play musical instruments when they perform. They have bands when they perform, but those bands are usually nameless guys that nobody pay any attention to.
Your sudden hatred of everything Canadian is making me a little uncomfortable Mono.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 05:15:14 PM
Your sudden hatred of everything Canadian is making me a little uncomfortable Mono.
GODDAMN MAPLE SYRUP :mad:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 05:15:14 PM
Your sudden hatred of everything Canadian is making me a little uncomfortable Mono.
I said I am puzzled. Why is that equated with hatred?
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 06:06:03 PM
I said I am puzzled. Why is that equated with hatred?
I'm just teasing bra.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 06:06:51 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 06:06:03 PM
I said I am puzzled. Why is that equated with hatred?
I'm just teasing bra.
Take your hands off his bra! :angry:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 06:06:51 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 06:06:03 PM
I said I am puzzled. Why is that equated with hatred?
I'm just teasing bra.
The teasing bra comes after the training bra but before the real thing.
Two awesome bra jokes in a row, dare I hope for more?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 06:24:02 PM
Two awesome bra jokes in a row, dare I hope for more?
:lol:
I hope you come to Vancouver some time. I'd like to buy you a pint.
Quote from: Jacob on April 21, 2010, 06:28:39 PM
:lol:
I hope you come to Vancouver some time. I'd like to buy you a pint.
:cheers:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 21, 2010, 06:38:49 PM
:cheers:
Watch out, he might make you don chaps. :ph34r:
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 05:08:43 PM
I am always a bit puzzled by Canadians' fondness for bands. HKers love loud music too, but it is really difficult to get popular as a band here. Most popular musicians are lone or duo singers who don't play musical instruments when they perform. They have bands when they perform, but those bands are usually nameless guys that nobody pay any attention to.
It's a rock thing. Read : Beatles & Rolling Stones. Is Rock big in asia?
Admit it Malthus. You slept with the drummer didn't you? ;)
Fur bra!
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 09:35:24 AM
if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf).
you know it's a sure sign you're getting old? :P
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2010, 07:01:12 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 05:08:43 PM
I am always a bit puzzled by Canadians' fondness for bands. HKers love loud music too, but it is really difficult to get popular as a band here. Most popular musicians are lone or duo singers who don't play musical instruments when they perform. They have bands when they perform, but those bands are usually nameless guys that nobody pay any attention to.
It's a rock thing. Read : Beatles & Rolling Stones. Is Rock big in asia?
No, not really. Some people like them, but they are a minority. I sure as hell don't.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on April 21, 2010, 12:19:39 PM
The singer also did a great turn in that "Everything is Illuminated" movie, starring Frodo. cool story Malthus.
Yeah, but the lack of his peculiar moustache was a bit of a let off for me :glare: And some of the soundtrack of the movie is by Gogol Bordello, too.
Nice story Mal, btw: I'd love to go to a GB show :)
L.
Quote from: viper37 on April 21, 2010, 08:57:26 PM
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 09:35:24 AM
if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf).
you know it's a sure sign you're getting old? :P
Not really. Some of us thought concerts were too loud when we were 20.
I'm officially jealous, man. :lol: I first learned about this band some years ago in Hungary through their song Wonderlust King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y)), and have been following them for a while. I'll probably see them live for the first time this summer in a festival in Portugal, and their "Super Taranta!" record is most probably on my Cd player back at home.
Can your friend get band freebies? :P
Oh, and btw, this is the wiki page of the violin player in the band. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev)
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on April 22, 2010, 05:17:56 AM
Quote from: viper37 on April 21, 2010, 08:57:26 PM
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 09:35:24 AM
if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf).
you know it's a sure sign you're getting old? :P
Not really. Some of us thought concerts were too loud when we were 20.
Sometimes its good to cover your ears/wear ear plugs then it gets all muted down and you can hear the individual parts nice and clear.
Not what I'd do for a punk band though.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 08:58:12 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 21, 2010, 07:01:12 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on April 21, 2010, 05:08:43 PM
I am always a bit puzzled by Canadians' fondness for bands. HKers love loud music too, but it is really difficult to get popular as a band here. Most popular musicians are lone or duo singers who don't play musical instruments when they perform. They have bands when they perform, but those bands are usually nameless guys that nobody pay any attention to.
It's a rock thing. Read : Beatles & Rolling Stones. Is Rock big in asia?
No, not really. Some people like them, but they are a minority. I sure as hell don't.
One of the members of the band Malthus saw is from HK. :P
Quote from: viper37 on April 21, 2010, 08:57:26 PM
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 09:35:24 AM
if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf).
you know it's a sure sign you're getting old? :P
Oh, probably. :lol:
Really, I suspect anyone exposed to that level of sound would notice the effect.
Quote from: Malthus on April 22, 2010, 07:49:06 AM
Quote from: viper37 on April 21, 2010, 08:57:26 PM
Quote from: Malthus on April 21, 2010, 09:35:24 AM
if they did play too loud (all of us thought we were going deaf).
you know it's a sure sign you're getting old? :P
Oh, probably. :lol:
Really, I suspect anyone exposed to that level of sound would notice the effect.
Indeed, most professional musicians use ear plugs when playing live, due to the almost contant exposure to high volumes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-induced_hearing_loss#Hearing_loss_for_musicians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-induced_hearing_loss#Hearing_loss_for_musicians)
Malthus, btw, you should listen to a side project of the band, called J.U.F. (standing for Jewish Ukranian Friendship or something like that). :)
Quote from: Pedrito on April 22, 2010, 02:58:49 AM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on April 21, 2010, 12:19:39 PM
The singer also did a great turn in that "Everything is Illuminated" movie, starring Frodo. cool story Malthus.
Yeah, but the lack of his peculiar moustache was a bit of a let off for me :glare: And some of the soundtrack of the movie is by Gogol Bordello, too.
Nice story Mal, btw: I'd love to go to a GB show :)
L.
They do have an awesome live show. I highly recommend it if you get the chance.
Looking at the youtube clips, along with the usual inane and irrelevant bullshit that is generally always posted in youtube comments you see the same over and over again - this is a band that is not done justice by the recorded version. Though I have yet to hear a CD, I'd tend to agree - certain types of music are best live.
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 07:29:18 AM
I'm officially jealous, man. :lol: I first learned about this band some years ago in Hungary through their song Wonderlust King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y)), and have been following them for a while. I'll probably see them live for the first time this summer in a festival in Portugal, and their "Super Taranta!" record is most probably on my Cd player back at home.
Can your friend get band freebies? :P
Oh, and btw, this is the wiki page of the violin player in the band. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev)
Heh, she gets freebies all the time - usually stuff designed to shock her a bit (I think Eugine kinda gets off on doing that to her, to be frank). Last time he was in Toronto, he gave her a dress with the band's name on in and a picture that, when looked at closely, displays a pic of a deer having oral sex with a hunter - if you knew this woman, you'd know why this was funny (she's extremely MILF-y, but very proper - big in Ukranian-Canadian cultural circles, "arty" but there is no way in hell she'd actually wear a dress like that in public).
If you get a chance, do see them live; lots of fun.
Quote from: Malthus on April 22, 2010, 08:05:03 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 07:29:18 AM
I'm officially jealous, man. :lol: I first learned about this band some years ago in Hungary through their song Wonderlust King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y)), and have been following them for a while. I'll probably see them live for the first time this summer in a festival in Portugal, and their "Super Taranta!" record is most probably on my Cd player back at home.
Can your friend get band freebies? :P
Oh, and btw, this is the wiki page of the violin player in the band. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Ryabtsev)
Heh, she gets freebies all the time - usually stuff designed to shock her a bit (I think Eugine kinda gets off on doing that to her, to be frank). Last time he was in Toronto, he gave her a dress with the band's name on in and a picture that, when looked at closely, displays a pic of a deer having oral sex with a hunter - if you knew this woman, you'd know why this was funny (she's extremely MILF-y, but very proper - big in Ukranian-Canadian cultural circles, "arty" but there is no way in hell she'd actually wear a dress like that in public).
If you get a chance, do see them live; lots of fun.
Well, they have a fan here, so if she can convince her to send something this way, it'd be more than welcome. :w00t:
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 07:54:21 AM
Malthus, btw, you should listen to a side project of the band, called J.U.F. (standing for Jewish Ukranian Friendship or something like that). :)
Heh, we talked about that briefly; part of this guy's philosophy, at least from what I've heard, is the attempt to embrace his ethnic heritage without falling victim to the historical European trend of ethno-nationalism - thus to specifically embrace all of those aspects that give ethno-nationalists hives (Gypsy, Jew, etc.). Apparently, Eugine is himself part-gypsy, but didn't know it until he was older.
Of course, as an ethnic Jew married to a Ukranian nationalist, this has resonance with me, and I said so.
Quote from: Malthus on April 22, 2010, 08:24:32 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 07:54:21 AM
Malthus, btw, you should listen to a side project of the band, called J.U.F. (standing for Jewish Ukranian Friendship or something like that). :)
Heh, we talked about that briefly; part of this guy's philosophy, at least from what I've heard, is the attempt to embrace his ethnic heritage without falling victim to the historical European trend of ethno-nationalism - thus to specifically embrace all of those aspects that give ethno-nationalists hives (Gypsy, Jew, etc.). Apparently, Eugine is himself part-gypsy, but didn't know it until he was older.
Of course, as an ethnic Jew married to a Ukranian nationalist, this has resonance with me, and I said so.
In case you're interested, he has also participated in (or made it himself, I don't know) a documentary called "The pied piper of Hutzovina", about a trip he made to Ukraine. Fragments of it are used in the video I linked in my first post. Think like the first part of Borat, only in a serious mood. :P
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 08:14:50 AM
Well, they have a fan here, so if she can convince her to send something this way, it'd be more than welcome. :w00t:
How willing are you to wear a beastiality dress? ;)
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 08:46:44 AM
In case you're interested, he has also participated in (or made it himself, I don't know) a documentary called "The pied piper of Hutzovina", about a trip he made to Ukraine. Fragments of it are used in the video I linked in my first post. Think like the first part of Borat, only in a serious mood. :P
He does sorta
resemble Borat, what with that funky 'stache of his. :lol:
Quote from: Malthus on April 22, 2010, 08:48:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 22, 2010, 08:14:50 AM
Well, they have a fan here, so if she can convince her to send something this way, it'd be more than welcome. :w00t:
How willing are you to wear a beastiality dress? ;)
Me, not very much, but I have a friend who wouldn't have a problem. :lol:
I passed a link to this thread onto a friend who is a mega fan by the way. He said something to the effect of "Jealousy^12, 'i'd suck eugenes cock if he asked me to' he's an idol".
Its weird really. Everyone likes different things and people always seem to get adventures in the domain of other people. Adventures which make other people insanely envious.
Quote from: Tyr on April 23, 2010, 02:35:32 PM
I passed a link to this thread onto a friend who is a mega fan by the way. He said something to the effect of "Jealousy^12, 'i'd suck eugenes cock if he asked me to' he's an idol".
Its weird really. Everyone likes different things and people always seem to get adventures in the domain of other people. Adventures which make other people insanely envious.
Heh, that's true enough.
There were certainly groupies enough seemingly intent on said cock-sucking/idolitary at the concert - the security guards were busy chucking them out as they tried to sneak backstage. We didn't get chucked exactly because we
didn't look like fans.
Looking back, though I've not told my wife this, I think her friend and Eugene had some sort of long-standing romantic thing going in the past, and that's why she invited us (so no possibility of actual hanky-panky) but did not take her husband (too awkward).
Actually, until I got to talking with the violin guy, I was horribly embarrased by the whole thing. I didn't know these people and they had no reason to want to know me. Who was I to impose on them, right after their concert? I just wanted to go home - I was tired, and had to work the next day. Only I couldn't just go, because I was the friend's ride.
To their credit, they could not have been more friendly and inclusive. I left thinking they were all real gentlemen.
I always figured a Malthus night out would be sit back with some friends, have a few drinks, and watch a population explode beyond it's environmental carrying capacity and suffer famine.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 23, 2010, 10:11:27 PM
I always figured a Malthus night out would be sit back with some friends, have a few drinks, and watch a population explode beyond it's environmental carrying capacity and suffer famine.
You're thinking Malthusian.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 23, 2010, 10:11:27 PM
I always figured a Malthus night out would be sit back with some friends, have a few drinks, and watch a population explode beyond it's environmental carrying capacity and suffer famine.
I can do all that while listening to music. ;)
For European fans, they'll be playing in France in the coming weeks (and in Bilbao in July).
Quote from: Razgovory on April 23, 2010, 10:11:27 PM
I always figured a Malthus night out would be sit back with some friends, have a few drinks, and watch a population explode beyond it's environmental carrying capacity and suffer famine.
Sounds like my house. The fridge is EMPTY.
After listening through some of their stuff on youtube I realized I´d rather listen to Britney Spears greatest hits. Maybe this is one of those groups that are better live.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2010, 09:28:36 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 23, 2010, 10:11:27 PM
I always figured a Malthus night out would be sit back with some friends, have a few drinks, and watch a population explode beyond it's environmental carrying capacity and suffer famine.
Sounds like my house. The fridge is EMPTY.
you know the answer. *snip* *snip* :P
Quote from: Cecil on April 30, 2010, 11:33:02 AM
After listening through some of their stuff on youtube I realized I´d rather listen to Britney Spears greatest hits. Maybe this is one of those groups that are better live.
Heh, different tastes and all - they are indeed amazing live, but even recorded, they are very listenable. I particularly like "Wanderlust King" - Eugene is sort of like a feel-good version of Borat. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyQ4ShVw-Y
And "Alcohol":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmZCve025Q