Gypsy punk and funky metal might sound like two odd sounds that would never compliment each other, but nothing could be further from the truth when the bands are two of the best live acts in the world, Gogol Bordello and Primus. Both bands brought a cult-following of dedicated fans that completely packed the Uptown Theater, singing and dancing to every song. Gogol opened with a long, heavy set of boot-stomping songs fans were hollering along to, without ever slowing down. Despite the suffocating heat, Primus kept the pace accelerating with relentlessly energetic hits all the fans knew, playing a set to satisfy every hardcore fan.
The only small faults at this show were entirely due to the venue and its owners. The musicians in these bands have a way of making their shows hot, but even they complained about the temperature in the stuffy, muggy theater, even as they played their encores. Before Gogol Bordello took the stage the Uptown felt like a sauna and the crowd was dripping with sweat. It seemed as though the owners of the theater had decided to not even try and keep the place cool, and let the audience suffer to the brink of heat exhaustion. Even before entering the venue, security going into the show was completely uncalled for. Men and women were placed in separate lines to be patted down before entering the venue, as if a crowd that consisted mostly of older metal heads and nerdy guys was going to come into the theater planning to start some trouble.
Once inside, fans from all walks of life crowded around the small, over-priced bars, trying to get a small cup of beer for $5, before struggling for space in the oversold auditorium. Despite the grueling heat the indoor venue would have been perfect for this show if not for the fact that the microphones were clearly busted, and nobody could understand what the musicians were saying most of the time. Only fans who already know the words could possibly sing along to any songs.
Still, even in this far-from-perfect venue, Gogol Bordello showed their fans a great time with a set of great hits and catchy tunes. The gypsy punk band produces a genuine, old-fashioned gypsy style music, infused with new life thanks to the mohawk punk on drums and wailing electric guitar and bass. Incorporating a second drummer, the lead singer who also plays acoustic guitar, and old veterans on violin and accordion, the band fused its many sounds together to make something exhilarating and addictive. It might have been a hard act to follow, but not for Primus!
Primus played two whole hours of nonstop perfection. The crowd screamed and roared at the start of each song, and sometimes throughout the songs. Les Claypool proved himself to be aging well, rocking on the bass line fast and accurate, while singing simultaneously. Larry "Ler" LaLonde played a continuous stream of wicked guitar riffs and solos to compliment the bass, while Jay Lane hammered out fast, hard beats on the drums. Altogether the three musicians combined sounds took every song from slow and upward openings to the wild and crazy metal choruses with seamless precision. The already hot venue turned into a raging inferno when each song hit its climax. Just when a song calmed down, it jumped back up, never letting the crowd relax. The head-banging, arm-pumping chaos didn't stop until the encore finished.
Primus finished at 11:30 p.m. but after both bands' insane sets, in the horrific heat of the Uptown it felt like a full night. With any luck Gogol Bordello and Primus will be back again soon. Be sure to catch them any chance you get!
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