Who knew little bleeps and bloops could cause such frenzy? Friday night, 8-bit heroes Anamanaguchi returned to Philadelphia to play to a very enthusiastic crowd at Kung Fu Necktie.
Prior to the set, KFN was looking like a ghost town, but as soon as bassist James DeVito pressed the START button on his computer to start the famed hacked NES and 8-bit inspired visuals everything changed. Droves of excited fans flocked to the stage and were instantly ready to reach the figurative final castle and save the princess.
Chief composer Pete Berkman jokingly commented on his ironic choice of drink at the beginning of the set, a tall can of Mountain Dew. The D&D player’s drink of champions was very appropriate for the night’s activities. Just throw in some Xtreme Cheddar Doritos and we have ourselves a set to remember.
Opening with “Blackout City”, the lead off track to their newest album Dawn Metropolis, the presence of drummer Luke Silar immediately was felt. Often times having to forego a drummer due to scheduling conflicts and relying on the bit-crushed drums of the NES, the live drums added energy and immediacy to the band. Plus, anyone who can play the insanely fast drum fills the style is known for is always a sight to see.
They played almost every song from Dawn Metropolis. Although their debut EP Power Supply garnered them national attention, it is Metropolis that really places them on a new level of crafting mature, dynamic music. Songs like closer “Mermaid”, a composition imagined by guitarist Ari Warnaar, really utilized all the possible sounds of the limiting NES.
Sadly, their tongue-in-cheek cover of Wavves’ “So Bored” was nowhere to be found, but in its place “Helix Nebula” was played. The Power Supply standout is a faux-Taking Back Sunday song reincarnated in 8-bit form, dueling synths and all to replace the trademark vocals.
Philly's Gang played a dance infused set which was appropriate for the evening’s Robotique party. Fronted by two very charismatic women, the band plowed through songs about being risqué and having fun. The highlight of the night came from their surprising (and surprisingly good) cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name Of”. That might sound like blasphemy, and it probably is, but the girls did a fine job of recreating the ferocity of the song.
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