Just got back from the show. The bands were good!

SUBTLE: Hadn’t heard these guys before, but I’m told they’re a conglomeration of Anticon and Mush people, including Dose One and Jel from Themselves. I expected something pretty low key, but this turned out to be a full-on band, with sax, flute, electric cello (!), glockenspeil, samplers, drums, synths, props, the whole 9. Really great music too, kind of space jazz hip hop hybrid something. Dose One was out front sing-rapping most of the time, emphasis on “performance”. He gesticulates with lazer-sharp precision and flamboyant(ly gay?) grace. His nasal delivery sort of grates, but he’s got rhythm and style and what I could make out of the lyrics sounded interesting. I want to hear more of this.

fig 5: subtle / frog eyes poster as it lies on my floor. designed by the very talented tyler stout.

FROG EYES: No fakers here. The lead guy is possessed of a manic energy which manifests in falsetto squeals and heavy breathing, and the band plays their instruments well. The songs are URGENT. Like watching someone in the midst of some life-changing insight, overpowered, before words like “inspiration” or “nervous breakdown” make sense. Good shit! But Greatest Band of All Time? The Anticon crowd seemed skeptical.

fig 6: frog-eyed cucarachas

ENTRANCE: Anybody who

(a) dresses like a hari krishna, but isn’t one, in 2004

(b) performs 1960′s-oriented rock music, in 2004

(c) sits cross-legged on stage at any point during set, in 2004 (only applies when (a) is present)

(d) throws tambourine off stage really hard nearly maiming innocent bystanders and generally acts like a spoiled brat, anytime

has to work pretty hard for my respect, in 2004. Somehow the dude in this band almost kindof did. He can play a mean guitar, and wails like he means it. But then he sulks like a baby between songs, and the drummer looks bored.