BLOODYMINDED
13 DECEMBER 2006
THE EMPTY BOTTLE
CHICAGO, IL
With:
Locrian
Oakeater
Sexual Freedom
Death Factory
BLOODYMINDED
Nicole Chambers – Synth + Live Mix
Rob Kerr – Synth
Ed Knigge – Synth + Vocals
Chris Mack – Synth
Isidro Reyes – Synth + Vocals
Mark Solotroff – Vocals + Synth
01. LAKE STREET
02. A SONG FOR LISANNE, A YOUNG MODEL
03. AS IF
04. GIRLFRIEND ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN SCHIZOPHRENIC EPISODE BY REVEALING CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE
05. ANGEL OF DARKNESS
06. MIND THE GAP
07. WITHIN THE WALLS
08. TROPHY
09. BOUND TO DIE (ED – LEAD VOCALS)
10. THE LOVE HATERS VS THE HATE LOVERS
11. GENITAL PANIC
12. PORN LORDS
13. VISITING AN EX-GIRLFRIEND IN THE HOSPITAL - AIDS WARD
14. TWO DROPS OF BLOOD
15. TEN SUICIDES
That was a very enjoyable night. I was disappointed that Wilt had to bow out of the event at the last minute – partly because I had really prepared my synth set-up carefully for the show – but I will look forward to another opportunity to play with Wilt in the near future. The Death Factory set was highlighted by really strong, roaring analog synth sound that totally backs up my statement about Michael upholding more of an old style Chicago industrial sound. It was probably my favorite performance by him to date. Sexual Freedom came out hard with primitive rhythmic loops and a two-guitar + bass line-up. They could not resist throwing things from the stage, similar to their Gays In The Military alter ego, but it was hard to judge whether the audience members were craving their dose of porn, or not. If so, they will have to buy the band’s first CD/DVD release. In the meantime, I will really look forward to my next taste of freedom… Oakeater played an excellent, dynamic set that combined the heaviness of the first show that I saw by them, with the more subtle approach taken on the B-Side of their debut cassette. The trio mixed electronics, live percussion, guitar, voice, and acoustic elements – such as creepy sounding Peruvian goat toe rattles. Again, they produced a more classic, ritualistic/atmospheric industrial sound really hit the spot. Locrian was up next and they built up their shimmering wall of drone/noise with guitar, synth/keyboard, and voice. The duo moved through numerous passages, each emphasizing one of the key elements, keeping a very vibrant element to their passage. One key to their style is never letting the crowd fall into a lull, as they seem to know just when to bring Terence’s vocals to a harsher point – or when Andre’s almost shoegazey riffs need to go more full-on metal.
We wrapped up the night – and a very full year – with a set that was not exactly my dream come true – but which still turned out for the best. Things started on a pretty strong note, and then about a third of the way through, the sound seemed to disintegrate. The final third of the set seemed to recover, sound/mix-wise, but it was kind of strange, and difficult to resolve, while “in the moment.” We played for just over 23 minutes (ooohhhhhhh) and the crowd energy seemed to help propel things along. The MiniDisc recording came out extremely well, bearing in mind the synth overload/drop-out during the middle third. Maybe it was having five to six analog synths all fighting for their space, which caused trouble. Who knows?
Thanks to everyone who came out to the show. There was a modest, but respectable crowd of 75 people in attendance. Major thanks to everyone at The Empty Bottle, for their continued awesome hospitality, for their great support of our band – all year, and for their sustained willingness to host these types of shows. Thanks to all of the other bands. Thanks to our friends, for the great support. Thanks to Heber, for taking the great shots of us. Thanks to Marlene, for taking a disco nap and coming out to videotape!
