Deerhoof at ULU

Deerhoof at ULU

19 December, 2008
by: Laurenevett

2008 has been a bit of a vintage year as far as experimental pop is concerned. Apart from the whole No Age / Mae Shi / Abe Vigoda thing that has been spilling forth from LA, bands like Gentle Friendly, Pre and Male Bonding have been making insanely good avant-pop for kids to boggle to in Catch on a Thursday night. Therefore it only seems right that the year ends with a show from one of the grand-daddies of them all: San Francisco's Deerhoof.

However before we can even hit the wonderfully bizarre mix of Japanese and American pop, ATP are presenting a sold out ULU with Underground Railroad: one of London's stand out acts of the last 12 months. A three piece currently residing in London (via Paris) who ooze effortless cool, the band tear through a collection of songs sounding like Sonic Youth covering The Velvet Underground with weird and noisy elements of bands like Liars and Deerhunter making choice appearances throughout.

Performing with vigour and passion, the band deliver a set of messy fuzz rock. Short enough to leave you intrigued but long enough to suggest that they're sitting on a substantial body of pretty exciting material. To end, the trio break down into a whirl of filthy and furious playing which, for ten minutes, completely consumes the venue with a sound that is unbelievably created by just three people.

So on to the main attraction; the pristine Deerhoof, who swiftly take to the stage without any pleasantries and immediately launch the impeccably clear sound rings through the room. All it takes is a few moments and the die-hard Deerhoof fans taking up the front of the crowd are happily in their element dancing and singing along to the band's unique brand of experimental pop. By the time they hit the audience with the new single 'The Perfect Me' the band have succeeded in turning the gig into what feels like a drunken office Christmas party from another planet.
 
Always a schizophrenic bunch at the best of times, Deerhoof's cheerfully enthusiastic live performance is perhaps not as strange as their recordings may suggest. Tonight's show, with its rolling performance, dancing and lights, proves that sometimes it’s best to leave the weirdness at home.

ATP are one of favourite promoters who put on our some of our favourite festivals in delipated Butlins. You can find out what they're up to in 2009 by checking out their webiste (two words: Jesus Lizard!).

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Laurenevett