Melbourne Live

Band: Gogol Bordello
Venue: Billboard
Date: 30th March 2010
Reviewed By: Espylyn

Forgive me for I have possibly sinned, I shook my booty and I allowed my senses to overload in the sweet Armenian punk band called Gogol Bordello (I could actually be at an insane Greek wedding instead for all I know). I watched as a full house almost blew the roof off with happiness and with no trepidation at singing at their highest and clapping to their loudest ability to a band that has taken the boring out of music and unleashed their own variety show. Pirates on stage, wiggles for wogs or perhaps the cuckoo restaurant performers are on drugs but really, this is one show not to miss.

The band did actually all meet at a Russian wedding so no surprises there, there was no first show as such, and they just played around at parties and jammed until they created international success.

The band consist of eight members, Elizabeth on backing vocals, percussion and stage prowling, Sergy on backing vocals and violin, Oren on guitar and backing vocals, Eliot on drums and backing vocals, Eugene on vocals, acoustic guitar and fire bucket, Pedro on percussion whilst contributing on MC, Yuri on accordion and backing vocals and last but not least tonight is Tommy on bass and backing vocals. The band consists of many nationalities including Russia, Israel, USA, Ukraine, Ecuador and Ethiopia.

Gogol Bordello certainly lived up to the hype tonight and although listening to their cd’s is great, seeing them live is really another kettle of fish. The anticipation leapt about the room before they came on and as the band unleashed themselves onto stage it was the bass and drums that initially captured our attention before the singer burst out onto stage and captivated more of our attention for the next 1.5 hours. Grab your boots and let’s go, people to dance city, to rock city, let’s tuck our troubles away and get into the swing and groove of the band that is Gogol Bordello.

Break The Spell is a fast paced tune which allows punters to unleash their inner dance creativity; Tribal Connection (off their Super Taranta album) incorporated some guitar solos whilst The Sun Is On My Side is a melancholy tune. Slap guitar and neon lights start off the big hit called Start Wearing Purple which is delivered with beauty and more dance, people are literally bouncing around the joint! Encore tunes are Alcohol and Baro Foro. Phew, what a show, one to tell the folks back home.
Note to self – my feet will forgive me next time for drinking more and getting involved in the mosh pit.

as seen on www.thedwarf.com.au