Thursday, October 8, 2009

Show Review: Starfucker, Deelay Ceelay, Strength

Originally published in Redefine Magazine.
Direct link to article

Bottom of the Hill
San Francisco, CA
October 7, 2009

Whoever decided to send Starfucker on tour with supporting bands Deelay Ceelay and Strength must have had a secret desire to increase the population of Portland, Oregon. After experiencing a night of fun and high-energy music from the three Portland bands, even music fans that already live in a city like San Francisco, which has its own rich and legendary music scenes, could have easily been convinced to pack up their things and move to the city in the Pacific Northwest.

With funky beats and alluring vocals, Strength turned the venue into a disco. The music encouraged audience members to get their blood flowing and dive into a night full of dancing. The three-piece had a vintage rock aesthetic similar to MGMT, but it was much more vibrant. The night had just started, but the band created an atmosphere fitting for a wicked and sultry after-party. Even though the hustle would have been an appropriate dance to accompany each song, the music was in no way tacky. Strength utilized a shimmering synthesizer and drum machine with full force and made "Metal" and "Wilderness" delightfully hip dance tracks.

While Strength got the energy circulating in the room, Deelay Ceelay heightened the audience's senses even further. A fog machine made the venue hazy and the lights were lowered as the two members of Deelay Ceelay sat at their drum kits. A kaleidoscope of images, lines, and colors moved along to the music on a white backdrop on stage. Without vocals, the duo told a beautiful story that was more than just the fast, loud drums on stage. The darting images on the backdrop and the thoughtfully timed drumming gave a dramatic feel, as if the Earth's time as an existing planet was running out. However, looping piano lines added a peaceful tone, and songs such as "Tea Drinker" and "The Deelay Ceelay Natural Anthem" were calming and stimulating at the same time, making it hard for one to decide whether to dance or just stare at the pretty images. Either way, the absolute consciousness was revived as Deelay Ceelay closed out with a drum performance over T.I.'s hit "Whatever You Like."

Despite the fact that Starfucker are in the process of changing their name to PYRAMIDDD, the band showed no signs of an identity crisis. Three of the four male members did step on the stage wearing dresses and pearls, but it was all in good fun. Neither the band nor the crowd needed time to warm up. Without hesitation, Starfucker jumped right into the dreamy and zesty "Boy Toy," and the audience members happily danced around. The vocals were a bit fuzzy, but also full of joy, which allowed the song to move along swiftly.

"Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second" best showcased the band's dynamics and set-up. The instrumentation consisted of Josh Hodges on keyboard, guitar, and vocals, Ryan Biornstad on lead vocals, guitar, turntables, and laptop, Shawn Glassford on bass and keyboard, and Keil Corcoran on drums and vocals. Similar to "Boy Toy," the song was lo-fi, but the assortment of instruments and electronic elements made it danceable. Also, scattered drums, which Hodges and Glassford played, increased the excitement and left a more lasting impression than the song in its recorded form.

The majority of the set was made up of songs from Starfucker's latest release, Jupiter, including the cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." Also off that album was "Dance Face 2000," a mostly all-instrumental track with a thumping beat. During the more jolting tracks, Biornstad fervidly bounced up and down. At other times, he stood still playing his guitar and singing with a blank stare. His subdued state looked a little creepy, but made sense with some of the songs' contours.

Starfucker ended with a two-song encore, but even after the band members left the stage, the venue was buzzing with energy. Collectively, all three bands proved that the people of Portland know how to throw a spectacular dance party.