Go Go Gadjet at Café 210

Posted by Aaron Wynne on 09/17 at 01:41 PM

When I arrived at Café 210 on Wednesday, Go Go Gadjet was setting up an extravagant light display and smoke machines. I had high expectations. When the band opened up with Boom Boom Pow from the Black Eyed Peas, I realized it was just another cover band performing in a pseudo-night club.

Alright, I understand the appeal of flashing lights and simple rhythms to sway the hips of inebriated college students. However, I was hoping the band would display more of the potential talent I caught glimpses of throughout the night. For example, the vocalist broke out a trumpet a few times, which was more than admirable. And the band utilized trash cans to produce a nice rhythm section during a rendition of Toxicity by System of a Down. These moments provided a breath of fresh air amidst an otherwise flashy, hollow performance.

The band did provide a boisterous presence on stage. The lead singer constantly threw his hands in the air and engaged fist pumps from the galvanized crowd. The vibe mirrored a dance party. Patrons were swayed by the easily followed beats and melodies. When the techno song Sandstorm by Darude began, the band lobbed a seemingly endless supply of green glow-sticks into the air. With the lights out, the crowd went hysterical, waving the sticks like we were at a rave.

Musically speaking, the trash cans were cool, but the rhythm section didn’t need more attention, considering the bass often made the guitar inaudible. The beats of songs like Tick Tock by Ke$ha pulsated through the crowd, off the wall, then back through the crowd. It was simply too much. The guitar is nice to hear, at least once in a while. Hip-hop songs, one after another, relentlessly pounded down. Songs like Fire by Jimi Hendrix and Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine provided some hope. But that feeling was quickly demolished by another trendy tune such as Your Love is My Drug by Ke$ha.

For those who like to follow trendy tunes, get your dance on, and maybe sing along with the songs you know, then I would recommend Go Go Gadjet for you. The light display was well done, and the band brought some punchy invigorating energy to the stage. They also displayed flashes of talent that I personally would like to have seen—and heard—put to better use.

For music fans more like me who want more than pulsing bass, simple rhythms, and catchy lyrics, I would suggest going elsewhere on Wednesday night.

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