pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

I love my job.  I get to be in towns that quite often host artists I like to see… so I don’t have to drive up to make a special trip.  Well, this time, it was for my second time seeing the instrumental, avant-groove, live electronic band from Toronto – – Holy Fuck.  While their name may be offensive to some, their music is delicious.  I tried to make the “gotta eat there while in Portland” stop at Blossoming Lotus, but downtown was PACKED – no parking to be found; so I crossed the River and checked out The Farm instead.  Then I scuttled off to the venue to meet some Eugene friends and take in some great music.

Crocodiles went on first, and they played about a half hour.  It was a singer & guitarist playing to a drum machine or tape.  It wasn’t too shabby.  Two man bands are usually more miss than hit, but these guys had some good songs and rocked out fairly well.

Holy Fuck took the stage around 10:15 and played a jam-packed hour or so.  I forget how infectious these guys are, even when not playing something all that melodic (though they had plenty of groove last night as well).  We got right up front, and I was able to snap some pics and a video or two (see below).  I was glad to see the audience show up, too… at first, it was looking grim, like a 10 person crowd.  By HF show time, the MFDF was filling up quite nicely.  Much groove, much film scratchin’, oft screamin’ and looping, with a thumping rhythm section…

Songs are harder to distinguish when there are no vocals (i.e.- no official “setlist” here).  I know they played The Pulse, Super Inuit, and Lovely Allen, and I’m pretty sure they played Milkshake, Safari, Frenchy’s, Jungle, maybe Royal Gregory.  Those last five are just a guess, though.  I do know that it was a bitchin’ show!!  It’s great to see them in progressively bigger venues.  First Newport, KY’s Southgate House “parlor” (i.e.- the very small room upstairs) to the real venue of Doug Fir Lounge as the headliner.  A+… and I hope it’s not another 2+ years until I get to see them again.

Holy Fuck “The Pulse” @ Doug Fir Lounge, 6/4/2009

The videos are just “OK,” but not too shabby for a digital camera (not a digital video camera), if I do say so myself.  Regardless of the video quality, quite frankly, this show is probably one of my favorite shows this year so far.

The Appropriate Linkage:

• Holy Fuck Online
• Holy Fuck on MySpace
• Holy Fuck review & pics from Brooklyn Vegan <— *great shots*
• Holy Fuck interviewed by Joe Walker (YouTube link)
• Crocodiles on MySpace
• Doug Fir Lounge

~Dan – np: John Zorn – Alhambra Love Songs

no torrent or free download available here

CROCODILES / HOLY FUCK PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2009 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)