Gracious Hosts

Back to Webster Hall for another evening of fun. The Cornelius show brought me back here for the third time in two weeks, me being as cultured as I am. I must say that while I expected to have a good time, I went in a little disappointed as I’d heard this show was to feature only numbers off the latest album, Sensuous, and would be techno-heavy. To be sure, I predicted lots of disconnected dancing on my part amid the groans from one Laura who’s not so keen on this sort of fare. Myself, I’m not going to sit here and talk shit about Techno, but I felt it would be a waste to miss out on some of his other fabulous hits from albums past. But my worries were for naught, for it would soon pass that a variety of songs were played, and a buffet of awesomeness was served.

First we heard the industrial, beaty offerings of openers Holy Fuck. These four young men rocked with an enthusiasm that proved both entertaining and contagious.  With two of them on electronics, one on a live drum set, and the last dude on bass, the four at almost all times were engaged in an exaggerated head bop that involved the shoulders and chest in its rowdy game.  Their carefree gestures spread to the audience who were seen to be rocking out mightily in appreciation of the opening band’s not-sucking. Sheets of sweat exploded from the bassist’s brow at every note, which rained down mightily onto the stage as if to say “Being in a band’s the shit!” The beats these boys brought were certainly sick and the electronics guys’ rapid finger fumblings and equipment switches, in this live environment we were enjoying, made it all the more in-your-face and awesome. And then one of them brought out the Melodica: always a crowd-pleaser, always a good time. These lovable dudes won themselves some fans this evening.

In between sets, as the audience rustled in their places or (as certainly was the case for us) refreshed their drinks, a mysterious white sheet was raised to cover the stage view. Soon after, blocks of primary color reminiscent of the latest album cover were sporadically shone onto it, creating an air of excitement and restlessness.  And then just as soon as the show began, it became clear that this would be a time to remember.  There stood Cornelius in all his glory, guitar in hand, and a full live band to accompany him. Far from pure techno obscurity, here was a real group of musicians, with of course one dude on the synthesizer. Behind them, a giant screen began to play kick-ass videos which went on to include things like giant bubbles (trippy!), wacky walking fingers that became staggeringly drunk when bathed in whiskey (like me!), and cute little kids sent through a kaleidoscope camera trick.

But the real highlight, in my mind, was by far the Theremin.  Although unfortunately not used much (seriously, I would have enjoyed it in every song, that crazy thing), when engaged it was to wonderful results.  Its wacky warble captured the energetic and “what are they going to do next?” feel of the evening, and lent it that bad horror film touch.  At one point, Cornelius himself went to the front of the stage and pulled up one lucky fan to have a go at the device. Our hero held his wrist carefully and guided him through one song’s Theremin solo, and the look on that boy’s face (seen though my jealousy-glazed eyes) was ecstatic.  I figured this here must have been the greatest moment of that young man’s life. Another exceptional instrument that was put to serious good use was the cowbell, which was played with a fervor I have never seen rivaled. The player’s impassioned thwacks displayed a mastery that clearly must have required several semesters at a top music academy. Heh heh, cowbell.

As the crowd-pleasing set came to a close there was an ecstatic sort of vibe pulsing through the audience that exuded the fact that this concert has been the shit. As the performance wrapped up, across the screen there flashed a message thanking those in attendance for coming to this “sensuous, synchronized show.” How kindly of these gentlemen to thank us for listening! And then, as if I hadn’t been charmed enough, Cornelius and his peeps actually stepped forward and took a formal fucking bow! What excellent showmen indeed.  And so I learned that bands named after a character from classic film Planet of Apes are good, Theremins are hilarious, and you haven’t really been to a rock concert until you’ve witnessed a Japanese guy shredding.