JEORDIE WHITE | BASE TENDENCIES
Press
The night started with a brief walk through Echo Park to the EchoPlex’s alley entrance. After making it through the doors, the walls opened up to reveal a small stage with plenty of space for an audience. Little did I know that in a few hours there would be so many people packing the club’s interior that it would be really tough to get from one end to the next.
I made my way to the edge of the stage where, after waiting for an hour and forty-five minutes, Goon Moon walked onto the stage. Fronted by Chris Goss and Jeordie White (better known as Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson), Goon Moon got the anxious crowd warmed up for a night of great music. Goon Moon’s sound was very unique with songs that hinted of many different influences ranging from Queens of the Stone Age to, of course, Marilyn Manson. Given the size of the stage, there wasn’t much room for the guys to move around but they still showed a strong command over the audience’s attention. Their performance included a dancer wearing a peacock mask while holding signs with New Age messages. Goon Moon’s songs could generally be described as weird, but they definitely put on an amazing show.
Much to the audience’s delight, UNKLE took the stage very shortly after Goon Moon’s set ended. I usually come to a show prepared with ear plugs, but I should have brought sunglasses! UNKLE’s performance included a custom light setup along with a projector show that greatly accompanied the band’s electronic sound. Without delay, the first notes from the band sent the audience into a fit of movement. Whether dancing, head bobbing, or simply tapping a foot, every person in the audience was being entranced by the music. UNKLE focused on tunes from their latest Los Angeles recorded album, War Stories, and everyone seemed appreciative of the set list. Their new music really lit the crowd on fire with smiles and cheers (and even fire alarms triggered by fog from the band’s lighting set up). From DJ to guitarist, every member of the group performed to the top of their abilities. After the group walked off stage, the audience stayed put and cheered for an encore. Following one of the most uniform slow claps I’ve ever heard at a show, UNKLE took the stage once again to perform “Rabbit in Your Headlights”, a song made famous by guest vocals from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.
With only a handful of US tour dates, I feel very fortunate to have seen UNKLE perform live. Judging by the considerable size of the crowd that came out to see them, many people did not want to miss the chance to watch them either. Not only was the size impressive, but the range of people in attendance was amazing, too. People of all ages, nationality, and general walks of life were watching the show; a testament to UNKLE’s music and the span of lives they are able to touch through creative flow and innovation.