Friday, November 29, 2019

Concert Review: Cosmonox

Cosmonox ended the show Saturday night, and it just got weirder.

Both members of Cosmonox appeared to play different things, but they were largely things I had never seen before. Instruments include a 4-track cassette recorder, keytar (okay, I did recognize the keytar), homemade synthesizers, and what appears to be a Califone Cardmaster, where paper was pushed through and pulled back, giving kind of a record scratch effect.

The energy reminded me of The Presidents of the United States of America, who also do some custom instruments, but only by removing unnecessary strings from their guitars. With Cosmonox, it is as if the Presidents were AV geeks, and also a Portlandia sketch.

In addition, they would have to be very into Greek mythology; almost every song was about King Amphitryon, Theban general and stepfather of Hercules.


I guess it makes sense that they played at Kelly's Olympian.

If Dr. Something was blending melody and harmony, and The Vardaman Ensemble was exploring the art of noise, Cosmonox was all about the rhythm.

I can't necessarily remember how the music went; just the thump. Maybe not everyone got out on the floor and danced, but I doubt anyone was impervious to the beat and able to keep still.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlqBjDXVCga_5-KCpKJ1rw

No comments: