Mondo Bizarre Magazine

 

words: Guilherme Lucas; photos: Raquel Pinheiro

I went to this concert with vested curiosity to assess the impact of a band with such disruptive sound as Sereias on an audience that was mostly there for Wand, and, therefore, possibly also with musical tastes far away from Porto’s group ones. In the first place, this looked like an improbable concert because both bands are significantly different in their sound and aesthetics. But, for that very reason, I liked this type of improbability; it shows courage and boldness, and an organization that promotes such events, with bands from different sound latitudes, rather than bet on those with similar ones, and, as such, predictable within a single musical taste.

In general, I found that the audience’s reaction to Sereias sound was very positive; I think better, in this context, would be difficult. We witnessed those moments in which we watch those around us, at first astounded with what was offered them to listen, but who, slowly, started to shake their head to the band’s machine and demential sound. And allow themselves go because Sereias have the gift of slowly making us enter their unique and chaotic sound and aesthetic world, in an almost hypnotic fashion. And,if you enter, you will never come out. You will remain there forever.

The band offered a very solid performance, always different from the previous ones I saw, with very intense moments. Once again with a different line-up. And, this time, for a nearly at capacity Hard Club Sala 2. This is a band that evolves in randomness; what we witnessed is more intuitive or accidental than rational, except, obviously, the natural benchmark points (for the band), of differentiating themes. It should be noted that, among sonic smithereens,there is an endearing and deep saxophone sound that arises and offers a unique jazzy Punk class and charisma; it is the most preponderant and melodic component in the band. Then, there is the poetry and António Pedro Ribeiro’s violent and insane recitation. In my opinion, there is more contestation and shock culture meaning in his poetry than in “hundreds” of politicized Punk Hardcore bands and alike. The difference is that with Sereias the word gets through (even during the more cacophonous moments) and if we listen to it (to the word) it will mark us forever, making us ponder because of its shocking surprise and cruel content.

After the concert I was left with the feeling that Sereias are the new Hype of a certain Porto’s underground, inside and out Rock and Arty typology. The band that, these days gets talked about or is being talked about.

 

Last Saturday, Scott Kelly, guitarist, singer and founder of the famous American Experimental Metal band Neurosis presented himself in an acoustic version assisted by multi-instrumentalist John Judkins, at Understage, Rivoli, Porto.

Playing for a large audience, that nearly filled the room, the duo offered a concert of remarkable grim beauty, made of rare songs that play as few can with silence and the power of words. There is an obvious feeling of life and art interest in Scott Kelly’s dedication in handling down the legacy of the great American folk, country and blues singer-songwriters (as signaled in truly breathtaking covers of Neil Young’s Cortez The Killer and Townes Van Zandt’s Tecumseh Valley). Actually, and essentially, Kelly’s repertoire is no more than country/folk songs adapted to a darker and heavier aestetics, connected with the greatest influences from artists of his generation (Swans, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Amebix, Pink Floyd, etc.), the way of reaching it has a lot to do with the slow, dragged and deliciously repetitive way of his acoustic chords along with a disciplined vocals where words space is always respected, where the message always get through , because it gets heard, because it shows itself, because it is fundamental to the whole. One can ask, is it an easy thing?  Not at all. The way Scott Kelly reinterprets all that musical legacy is extremely original, and, as I’ve said before, of touching beauty. For me, it was like watching a concert from an original Johnny Cash of my generation.

Extremely pleased with the audience that listened silently and enthusiastically applauded them at the end of each song, Scott Kelly confided publicly this was the biggest crowd of all the tour and thanked the very respectful and generous behaviour of the audience towards the duo’s performance. For this reason, because it matters to him, he promised to return again in the future. He will be very welcomed.

(words: Guilherme Lucas; photos: Raquel Pinheiro)

 

Victor Torpedo‘s Karaoke is a show of chaotical emotional discharge, anarchic, raw, fun, at times demential and almost over the edge and very rock & roll as it was the case Saturday (27) @ Festa da Música, Centro Comercial de Cedofeita, Porto.

(words & photos Raquel Pinheiro)