Club Mesa Costa Mesa, California
19th December 2000
AA23 opened the night, and I thought they had some really, REALLY nice moments. but things did seem a bit sloppy and loose at points – especially with the excessive scratching (which when ON – was wonderful.. but less is more when it comes to scratching). The set was MUCH more active than when they opened for Sol Invictus of all people; and to be honest, I like the minimal, more bleepy side a bit more (I guess comparisons could be made to someone like Ultra Red when I talk of the more “minimal side). Whatever, it was good, and my ears were quite happy.
Next was Instagon, continuing onstage with members of aa23 .. which added a nice flow to the evening. For those who do not know, Instagon is a project from Orange County that started some years ago as an excuse of sorts to assult people with A LOT of noise and chaos (never with the same line-up, always changing). Since then, Lob (the fellow behind Instagon) has calmed things down a little and seems to have moved things in a more musical “jam session” like direction. This time around the group was only 3 people big – a sax player, bass player, and drummer. I liked moments of the set, though it was VERY repetitive and sleepy, and the drums were a tad bit too simple and conventional for my mood. Perhaps someday they will do something without a drummer – especially with the nice bass and sax they have had the last few times I have seen them. Last night’s performance was not the best, and certainly not the worst, I have seen from instagon — just kinda “there”
Not breathing flowed into Instagon the same way Instagon flowed into AA23, and then they just took things away. The set started with a ton of toy/Speak and Read type manipulation and layers of noise (reminding me a lot of the EAR Datarape stuff – if that is what it is called). Not too long after came the beats: and wow! It was just flat out sick! I really wish more Industrial Dance/Jungle fans were at the show, because the beats were out of control – yet so damn smooth. I dont know, I guess the only real solid thing I can say is Not Breathing ALWAYS put on a sick show, and this time around was one of the BEST times I have seen them (aside from, perhaps, a New Years show they played at and hated :). Didj, fucked-up electronic toys, tons of blips, weirded-out melodies, washes of noise, odd-hypnotic beats, some cute Furby mutant thing; oh, what a nice night.
-Chris Bradbury-
