Getachew Mekuria & The Ex – Ottobar 8/15
My buddy dragged me to this show last night knowing absolutely nothing about The Ex, and even less about Getachew Mekuria. I left the show having experienced the rare show that became more than a show, but an event. One that hipster dude, old dude, normal dude, punk dude, you name it all were feeling exactly the same thing. I am not even going to try and describe their music, but I will say that the fact that I am having such a hard time putting this show into words shows it’s magnitude. And this is coming from someone who had no pre-conceived notions.
I think washington city paper best described it in their review of the bands show in DC:
After seeing the Ex and Getatchew Mekuria co-mingle punk, post-punk, Space Is the Place, free jazz clarinet skronk, and ecstatic semi-funk, there just isn’t much to report back to your pals other than superlatives: top-five best show of all time, awesome, oh-my-God, etc.
UPDATE: Here is the live recording from beatbots. AWESOME.
Seriously, I can’t describe this show without coming across as an uber-fanboy. Let;s just say it was the loudest I have heard a crowd scream and clap for an encore…a second one. Local music site beatbots was allegedly recording the performance. So i will let you know when that’s up. Until then check out some of the video’s below to get maybe 10% of what the show was like. And if you’re in boston, chicago, or NYC (free show) don’t miss it.
13-08 Washington, DC. The Black Cat
14-08 Baltimore, MD. Ottobar
15-08 Boston, MA. The Middle East
17-08 Chicago, IL. Logan Square Auditorium
18-08 Chicago, IL. Millennium Park (12noon)
20-08 New York, NY. Lincoln Centre ‘Out of Doors’ (6pm)
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You’re right about everybody “feeling exactly the same thing.” It’s so rare. And in this case, it extends to the people onstage, too. In D.C., the Ex members were smiling a lot. I never thought I’d see that.
on August 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] What we said: My buddy dragged me to this show last night knowing absolutely nothing about The Ex, and even less about Getachew Mekuria. I left the show having experienced the rare show that became more than a show, but an event. [...]
on January 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm