にほんご
7/13/04 Bottom of the Hill
Deerhoof is from San Francisco. They are art punks who mix noise and melody, Their experimental sound has become distinctive music over
the years. The group began with Rob Fisk (guitar) and Greg Saunier (drums) in 1994. Satomi Matsuzaki (bass) joined the group from Japan
in 1996. In the early years they played many shows and released a few singles. The following year they released their full-length debut,
The Man, The King, The Girl (1997). Fisk left the band after Holdy Paws (1999). There was a few members changes in the early years. Their
third album, Halfbird (2001), was released, and John Dieterich was recruited as Deerhoof's new guitarist. They played a few festivals
like CMJ and All Tomorrow's Parties and became known to a wider audience. In 2002, the group released the critically acclaimed Reveille (2002).
International fame followed. Fans included The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic Youth. Apple O' (2003) came out early last this year, and this featured
new guitarist Chris Cohen. This album was recorded in one afternoon with engineer, Jay Pelucci. Deerhoof recently played The Bottom of the Hill
to promote their new album "Milk Man".
* * * * * *
Deerhoof
7/13/04 @ the Bottom of the Hill
Man was that show fun or what??? I say RAD...I say
AWESOME.
Deerhoof returned home and super-charged the energy
inside the crowded venue of the Bottom of the Hill,
introducing songs from their new album "Milk Man".
Satomi Matsuzaki appeared on stage with her bass
hanging from her shoulder, holding onto a stuffed banana
and strawberry and started their opening song with her
usual bizzare yet attention-grabbing dance/performance.
If you have never seen Deerhoof live, I highly
recommend it. If you like their sound, their stage
performance will make you LOVE the band. Sure they're
getting more and more popular everyday and seeing a
band in a packed venue smelling the sweat of someone
standing next to you and feeling the exhaling breathe
on your neck from the nose of someone standing behind
you may not be such a fun thing. But once the band
starts their performance, you'll forget everything
that's around you. Your eyes will be fixated on the
band, the cells and nerve system in your ears focused
on the blasting noise, then you can't help but tap
your foot or HOP HOP HOP. Pure sensory overload, a
more-than-satisfactory-high and pleasure.
Why do I love deerhoof so much? Perhaps the
uniqueness in their sound. And chaotic production of
rhythm and sound which are actually highly calculated
and well-balanced. And the team work and cordination
in achieving this difficult task. Then the
playfulness. Youth. ENERGY.
After the show, my friend left with this comment: "I love
seeing bands that make me happy." It's strange.
While Deerhoof definitely contains some pop sound,
their lyrics are mysterious and their songs definitely
don't classify as "feel-good" music. But they make
you happy anyway. Perhaps, through their child-like
play with sound, and through their crazy jamming with
musical instruments as if there's no tomorrow, it
releases the child in us.
Last night's show definitely made me happy. Saying that it was a great
show hardly describes the experience. So a big huge
thank you to Deerhoof.
But, if I may add-the crowd at the Bottom last
night-YOU GUYS SUCK!!!!!
After the last song by the band, people all started to
leave with no support for an encore. When my friend
grabbed the playlist that was left on the stage, we
definitely saw "encore" in their playlist. So, to those
of you who left early, shame on you...shame on you!
にほんご
Also read 2003 interview here
Yuko Chapman
