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CVLT Nation Captures MUTOID MAN

Published

September 30, 2015

Text: Milton Stille
Photos: Milton Stille/Asia Fairbanks

While I’ll admit that my expectations for this show were already pretty high, I really didn’t imagine said expectations to be surpassed. I’m comfortable in saying that those not in attendance definitely missed out.

He Whose Ox is Gored from Seattle opened. I didn’t really know what their performance would bring, as it had been a couple years since I’d heard their music, which happened to be a two-song EP. It was also my understanding that the band had undergone some lineup changes since. The band’s performance showed them to be an evolved version of their earlier incarnation, showing more depth and atmospherics than the EP had me expecting. It’s a shame that more weren’t in attendance.

By the time Wild Throne took the stage, the room had filled up a fair bit. Some might remember them as Dog Shredder from Bellingham, Washington. Again, it’s been several years since I’d heard these guys, and actually wasn’t aware of their move to New York, or name change. This notwithstanding, their performance spoke for itself. High energy, at times technical, and just a good old-fashioned good time.

By the time Mutoid Man commenced their set, the venue was pretty much packed. The set that ensued was one of legend – I haven’t seen a band have so much fun onstage in a long time. Highlights included guitarist Stephen Brodsky’s and bassist Nick Cageao’s ridiculous antics and interactions, one of which involved the brief swapping of instruments, and one of which involved the cupping of balls. High energy throughout the set, it concluded with drummer Ben Koller vacating his throne to let our own Nick Yacyshyn from Baptists sit in for a song. No rehearsal, just on the fly. Just rock n roll. Definite contender for show of the year.

HE WHOSE OX IS GORED