Subtle – Cargo, London 21/07/08

13 August 2008, 10:01 | Written by Ama Chana

(Live)

Lucky ol’ me. I don’t know how it always happens to me but I always just happen to attract annoying people towards me at shows. Tonight is no exception. Tonight I’m standing next to the most annoying Subtle fan boy, front row. He really doesn’t shut up. I think he’s drunk. Definitely off his head on goofballs. He’s even dribbling and grabbing the band’s show props. He continually keeps calling out to lead-rapper/singer/keyboardist Adam Drucker aka Dose-One to the point where he politely and with the straightest of faces replies: “Young man, please be quiet or I will face-fuck you”. Brilliant.

Oakland’s finest collective of Anticon all-stars (although releasing on UK label, Lex Records) have endured much worse though. Tragic injuries to band member Dax Peirson, having their $15,000 worth of tour money stolen along with equipment (some of which included early demo tracks of unreleased material), one moron of a guy isn’t going to spoil the night. They are a band who fight against adversary and obstacles which seem to continually plague their journey forward. Tonight, they’re in London to push the brand new ExitingARM record, handpicking a selection of tracks from it to open with along with fan favourites such as ‘Midas Gutz’, ‘The Mercury Crazy’ and ‘I Heart L.A’.

The sound is a bit dodgy at times but overall felt dizzying and densely layered. They were lacking cellist Alexander Kort though, who was unable to accompany them on this tour as he’s just had a son! Although it was a definite void in the sound from the previous times I’ve seen them, the focus was purely towards Drucker’s ability of vocal delivery speed and flamboyant charisma to fill the space. At times you’re captivated by his presence and his puzzlingly opaque lyrics.

Maybe also it’s the fact he’s also donning a ruffled blouse and refers constantly to his stage props (a black and white skull the centrepiece of his affection) but the most memorable moments of tonight were the in-between song banter with the crowd which covered topics such as Barack Obama for America’s first black president, Robin Williams doing gay impressions, canned water, and even Bright Eyes couldn’t escape his wrath. It really made for great listening even though people would just start shouting out random nonsense. Something which Dose was sharp, witty and fast enough to roll with. When things get a bit out of hand, Jeffery Logan aka. Jel is on hand to keep things flowing along “Shall we just play another song then?”. Dose started

On the surface, it can seem like it’s a bit of lighthearted fun but when he starts spitting the mantra “Did you buy it? Did you burn it? Did you rip it?” with such venom and vigour, you know that this is a band that’s been through the jaws of hell and back. Sure they put on a fantastically fun show, but my gosh, they are deadly serious about the cause.