Live Review: Atari Teenage Riot + support @ Gagarin, Tel Aviv [29th December 2016]

Atari Teenage Riot
Mechonat Hereg
Eternal Struggle
Soleil Bone



Although bands who plan to come to Israel often get bombarded with negativity by anti-Israel activists and the like, never was there more of it from within the country itself than when self proclaimed anti-fascists and fans of Israel, Atari Teenage Riot (ATR), announced their Tel Aviv concert. Many people were confused at how anti-fascists can love Israel and thus saw the band as hypocritical. At least this is how it came across online. It turns out that more people were just a bit annoyed that such an underground (albeit highly influential and respected) act as these German originators of the digital hardcore sound were playing such an expensive show. However, that hasn't stop most of the people who have come out tonight, both to see ATR and the interestingly mixed local support. 

Soleil Bone

  Unfortunately, I arrived a little late and missed opening act, Nute, but did arrive in time to check out the weirdness that is Soleil Bone (pronounced Bo-nay, I believe). Noise/experimental music has never been my favourite genre. I like it when it has a lot of intensity, passion and a even a hint of structure. Soleil Bone are more along the "let's just play and see what happens" method of noise. With a drummer (initially masked) playing quite sparsely, a guitarist creating a lot of fuzz and distortion, a guy on a controls making random noises and a vocalist growling the majority of the time, it's certainly an interesting support act but hardly anything breathtaking. It reminds me of a band made up of old guys I saw a few times in Derby, who I believe were called God Has Tits. They basically just got on stage and had a go at instruments. I think that Soleil Bone know how to play... but decide to go down a less musical path.

2/5

Eternal Struggle

I might need to stop reviewing these guys soon as I don't really have anything new to say. Among all the more metalcore bands and hardcore punk bands in the county, Eternal Struggle bring that crushing NY-style hardcore that I've always loved. They're pretty damn lucky to be put on this line-up. It might not make sense to many people having a Hatebreed/Born From Pain/Terror style band at a show like this but variety is the spice of life! Seeing as ATR have their ties to punk and hardcore, it's a nice idea to have at least one punk or hardcore band supporting. Being made up of drum n bass lovers and ATR fans, Eternal Struggle maybe seemed like the most logical choice (also, their manager organised the event but shhh!).

Although Eternal Struggle get a really good crowd at their own shows, the head count isn't quite the same tonight because of this particular event's demographic. However, their mosh parts and beatdowns get a few people running around and a fair bit of hair banging. It's a shame they didn't do their usual cover of Sick Of It All's Take The Night Off but maybe it is about time they stuck with the strength of their original material. Hardcore dancing still isn't quite the done thing out in these parts but they would totally get that sort of action Stateside and in Europe.

5/5

Mechonat Hereg

When this show was initially announced, there was no doubt in my mind that Mechonat Hereg (Killing Machine) were going to support. I don't know much about them and only caught them live briefly before but they are essentially the Israeli Atari Teenage Riot. The blueprint is essentially the same; fast breakbeats, noises and harsh punk-like male/female vocals. Difference between the two acts is that ATR actually have structured songs. Mechonat Hereg are more of a rave band for low-key shows. They've got good energy and are the only people doing this sort of thing in the country (as far as i'm aware). Unfortunately, the music keeps randomly dropping out (some form of technical issue) which dampens the atmosphere a little and is generally a tad disappointing. The vocals and delivery are also nothing special, although vocalist Yam has an interestingly super high-pitched voice which reminds me a little of Manda Rin from Scottish electro-Brit pop trio Bis. Technically, that's a good thing as I loved Bis but I can imagine it's not for everyone.

2.5/5

Atari Teenage Riot

As more people fill up the Gagarin dance floor, everyone's anticipating the main event. I, personally, have always respected Atari Teenage Riot as I liked how they mixed electronic music with the intensity of punk. This especially came through in a live clip I saw of them from Reading Festival '99. Although I was actually at that festival as a 13 year old (my first ever big show), I didn't go the day they played but managed to catch it on TV. With the old line up including the late Carl Crack and former co-singer Hanin Elias, it was simply a high octane performance full of full throttle beats, screaming and buckets of sweat. I know that the line-up has since changed but I have been hoping for that same kind of experience.

As the lights dim, we faintly see Zan Lyons, a sometime member of ATR, step behind the table of laptops, controls and samplers. He's closely followed by man of the night, Alec Empire, the main founder of the group and poster boy for the fast paced, noisy and hyper digital hardcore sound. Alec is encouraging the crowd from the start, raising his clenched fists in the air as the venue fills with pulsating rhythms and noises and Zan operates visuals.

During the set, Alec moves to the foreground to shout and jump around with partner-in-crime, Nic Endo. Although it is odd to see her without her iconic painted Japanese symbol on the side of her face, Nic still has an amazing presence as she moves around the stage in an almost assertive fashion. Likewise, Alec has the complete attention of the crowd and they have his, as he locks eyes with everyone while spitting his lyrics of revolution and anarchy.

Many of the ATR fans here tonight have most likely come because of the band's earlier work. Some of the newer songs from the 2014's Reset album, such as J1M1 and the untypical Modern Liars with its strangely melodic and pop-like chorus, do not fare too well at the start of the set. However, it's actually album track Transducer's heavy thumping beat that initially gets the crowd uniting and thrusting themselves around like a wave. The more classic tracks like Revolution Action, Into The Death and No Remorse (I Wanna Die), the latter of which contains a Slayer sample, get the biggest reception from the crowd due to being the more energetic and punk/metal influenced.

Although there are those out there who may not be happy with the change of line-up, it does not seem to have affected ATR's live performance. Their set may contain newer songs that break away from the sound many fans know and love but the high energy and dedicated performance that I remember seeing on TV all those years ago is still there. Alec's personal love for Israel may have definitely encouraged his enthusiasm but I'm pretty sure him and Nic have that same passion everywhere they go. 

4/5
All photos by Adam Oscar

Live review: Little BIG @ Gagarin, Tel Aviv [28th July 2016]

Once again,  I have taken myself along to a show for an act whom I previously was not really familiar with at all but thought could be interesting. Having checked out some songs of theirs already, I thought I'd give Russian party band, Little BIG a try. 

  Upon entering Gagarin, I notice a slight change in the place. Not only have they moved the bar to the other side of the room but they actually knocked a wall down to make more space for both the bar and actual floor space. There even seems to be a door or 2 on this side of the room which were not there before, so they've done some good renovations since I was last here. When speaking to someone I recognise from other shows, I find out that the event started earlier than I was lead to believe, thus missing opening act Shitty CT, a peculiar band from Akko, North Israel, that mix punk, rap metal and electronica. They are not everyone's cup of tea, especially on the punk scene, but I personally really like the style. Apparently, tonight was a special sort of electronic set as opposed to full live band, but it's still such a shame I missed them and I can only apologise.

  In the lead up to the main event, there is a mixture of drum n bass, edm, hip hop and even ska playing over the speakers. Whereas normally people would just be standing around talking in between bands, there is already a party atmosphere going on, as groups of friends and couples are dancing away. Even I can't help but nod my head and tap my feet a bit. It is interesting to see that there's a mixture of people out tonight, including metalheads, street punks and some proper ravers in bright coloured skimpy clothing. Music really does unite all sorts of people... 

  Eventually, the warm up music dies down and a guy in sunglasses comes on stage and you just know he's got to be with the act. Who wears sunglasses indoors? This turns out to be the band's DJ, Sergey "Gokk" Makarov, as he takes his place behind the decks. He is then followed by the tattooed and scary looking Ilya (Prusikin) and Olympiya (Ivleva), who is basically the "little" in Little BIG. They start the show off with latest album Funeral Rave's opening track, To Party. This is the perfect song to get things going, as its pounding techno beat and Olympiya's sweet vocals (although I can't say for certain how much of it was live) make a great combination for a proper rave anthem. The crowd is already jumping and the atmosphere is electric.

  As the show goes on, the crowd gets treated to tracks from the band's debut album, such as With Russia From Love, We Will Push The Button and Pump It, all getting the crowd equally as hyper as the next. After a while, I think the band begin to realise that a majority of the venue is Russian, or at least Russian speaking, as they start shouting out things I don't understand that get a huge response from the room. This is kind of cool, as it must make both the band and the audience more comfortable. As well as the Russian, I start to hear something that I was so certain was Mr Plough (Simpsons, anyone?) but turned out to be a chant for band member Mr Clown, who then comes from the side entrance to the stage. Not only is he in clown makeup and a clown wig, but he is wearing a ice hockey shirt with his name on the back. This instantly makes me think of Juggalo acts like Insane Clown Posse, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. This addition to the show takes things up a level. Mr Clown really connects with the crowd, speaking mostly in Russian, and just brings this energy which we didn't even realise was missing. He's closely followed by newest live band member Sofia (or Sonya?), who adds to the sexiness that Olympiya had already brought to the stage, wearing tight spandex and gyrating about the stage. A "mosh pit" actually erupts as the song Dead Unicorns gets underway. This song, along with the next song, Fucking Asshole, again brought to mind the Juggalo rap genre. Whereas the former song has violent lyrical content and a darker electronic vibe, the latter relies on a circus theme-style loop while rapping obscenities. Both songs are ridiculously memorable and possibly the highlight of the show for me, along with the infectious Life In Da Trash and the anthemic Every Day I'm Drinking, which got people throwing their arms and legs all over the place. 

  Little BIG are basically the result of Die Antwoord and Scooter having a baby and giving it up for adoption to a poor Russian family. It's fist pumping party music with some pretty silly lyrics ("My dick is big. My dick is very big"). Their live show, at least tonight, is simple, with no backdrop or special effects or anything. They don't need it and we, the audience, certainly didn't need it to have a good time. All band members are engaging and full of energy, even Sergey, who jumps on the table of his decks now and again. He seemed to be mostly pressing play and throwing in the odd klaxon sound most of the show, so it was good to see him actually joining in on the fun. It could very well be that most of the crowd are drunk and/or high which adds to the high octane reception but as a sober viewer, I was still smiling from beginning to end and there was never a dull moment. 

All photos come courtesy of Tom Hooliganov 

4/5