Audio By Carbonatix
By Niki D’Andrea
The New Times Summer of Sound experimental show took place Friday, July 18, at Papillons Too (formerly Cell Block) in Mesa. It was a night of community, costumes, feedback, homemade instruments, and epic jams, courtesy of headliners Estradasphere Trio and four of our best local bands. Without any further ado, let’s wax premature nostalgic:
JJCNV The band formerly known as Janis Joplin Crap N Vomit not only suffered the indignity of a less-than-flattering preview by our own Serene Dominic, but somehow managed to get jacked into performing first. They showed up in bizarre costumes (their drummer wore a Santa outfit, while the other two members of the band rocked some red, white, and blue superhero-looking getups), and proceeded to crank out some of the most raucous-yet-catchy post-punk rock tunes this side of The Breeders. Further providing a lesson in diplomacy, the band stayed for the rest of the show to cheer on their fellow locals.
Yourchestra This collective of experimental instrumentalists brought everything but the kitchen sink onstage with them, creating a bizarre soundscape using a plethora of bells, shakers, and a one-string bass made from an old washtub. Their blend of whacked-out world music, well-timed shouting, and cacophonous solos was disarming, but pleasantly so. Had the Grateful Dead never come back from any of their acid trips, they might’ve sounded like Yourchestra.
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Andrew Jackson Jihad These folk-punk rockers were not only some of the tallest people at the show, but some of the loudest as well, with a set that merged anarchistic punk with geek rock in songs like “Hate and Kill.”
Black Carl: These funkified Tempe kids had booties shakin’ with their soulful mashup of rock, funk, and blues. Singer Emma Pew performed barefoot, and was wearing toe rings. Even if her voice didn’t pack such a soulful wallop, her stage presence alone commands attention.
Estradasphere Trio: These three amazing multi-instrumentalists flew in from Seattle the day of the show, and capped off the night with a set of beautifully orchestrated compositions that challenged every notion of traditional song structures, layering violin over Zappa-esque guitar hooks and unconventional beats.
The next Summer of Sound show is the METAL show on Saturday, August 2, at Club Red in Tempe. Godhead headlines, with support from locals Fracture Point, Malakai, AMPutatiONs, and The Human Condition.
