Seattle Subsonic

Dungen at Neumos

October 4th, 2010

I roll into Neumos at about the beginning of The Entrance Band’s set. I hadn’t had the opportunity to check this band out prior to the show so you can imagine my surprise when I realized they were pretty stellar. The Entrance Band’s sound was really all over the place. I mean that in the best way possible; there was a minute that I made a Mars Volta reference and the next minute I was thinking of Dick Dale. It was stellar. After actually being able to catch this band in action I knew I had to get some background info. So here is what I uncovered with my super sleuth skills. A wikipedia induced low-down: the band is comprised of Guy Blakeslee, whom was the original solo member going under the moniker The Entrance. Joining him was Derek James- whom I didnt get any lowdown on- and Paz Lenchantin, who has contributed to many albums by many different artists. I particularly appreciated her work on Acid Tongue in 2008 with Jenny Lewis. A few highlights of their set: the songs- well obviously- they were long, they were in depth, they had range. Every song was an elaborate composition that went in and out of so many different sounds. This coupled with the light show was my first introduction to a “psychedelic rock” performance, and I must say it kinda blew my mind.

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So the main event was up next, and Dungen did not disappoint. I gotta say, at first listen I would compare Dungen’s latest album, Skit I allt, to elevator music on steroids. Then seeing them live,  it was like elevator music on acid. This, by the way, is supposed to be a compliment. An example: on the second song (I think) Gustav Ejstes busts out a flute! A GD flute man- and it was perfection, Ejstes would jump between the flute and the tambourine then bouncing back behind the keys. This guy was all over the stage wielding one instrument after another. Its a cheesy reference, but Ejstes was like a Swedish Kurt Cobain up there in his flannel with his long blonde hair all passionate. He was quite a show. I really dug the ambient sound that the band had, it had just the perfect hint of psychedelic so I could understand why this band identifies with the genre. But I kind of felt like they expanded beyond all borders. If I had not looked up anything on this band prior to catching them live I would not be able to classify them in any specific genre at all. Dungen is just good.

It was a great show all around. A small but chill crowd and a good sound.

Oh and that photo is from wikipedia, I can’t take cred for that.