Damo Suzuki is an anarchist. He believes in the bible. He does not rehearse. He operates in a network of “sound carriers” made up of more than 7000. He does not want you to expect anything of him. He calls the music he plays “instant composition” He does not believe in leaders. He resists systems to the extent that he refuses to work in a recording studio. When he performs you feel as though you are in the presence of someone speaking in a prehistoric language.
Squadra Omega started the night at HBC. They took the stage wearing black robes and face paint, conjuring the spirit of a Manson family ritual. They could have done the soundtrack to Roman Polanski’s, “Rosemary’s Baby”. Two drum sets at center-stage, black clad twin interpretive dancers stage left and right. The only thing missing was a live sacrifice. It seemed as though the performance veered towards the occult, without invoking or mocking it outright. Is it too much to ask for a bit of blood with the Gang Gang Dance style spontaneity?
Camera is a trio. They play Kraut Rock reminiscent of early CAN. I have seen them playing U-Bahn tunnels where drunk people fall down stairs due to their hypnotizing rhythm. They provided the highlight of the evening when joined by: Dieter Moebius (Cluster), Michael Rother(NEU!), and Shaun Mulrooney (Admiral Black) to cover Hero from the NEU! Album, NEU! 75. The full house in attendance was left in a blissful glowing state. It was obvious that the musicians performing were all in the right place that night. Its not something to be forgotten.
The Holy Soul are from Australia. They come from an alt-country, indie rock background and served as “sound carriers” for the Damo Suzuki Network. Suzuki, was as uninhibited and vital as ever, seemingly creating a new language for the night. It was sort of like a spaghetti western done for an undiscovered life form, as if Terrence McKenna was fronting Wilco. The Holy Soul were sparse and responsive. The entire group seeming to exist without ego or intention. Occasionally, it seemed to make sense, as well you got the impression that they were not attempting to impress. It was an “instant composition” that demanded you reject the grid, in an age defined by it. A challenging end to a well booked night at HBC.
