You think that Gogol Bordello are kind of an alright band and that’s about it. You like a lot of eclectic stuff, and you appreciate their reputed “live show energy” (though you secretly kinda think that it’s a bit of a cop out for songs that are a little same-y), and you respect the old-world rhythms and tonal accents and all that crap… but, for your money, they aren’t really anything to write home about. Maybe someone like… Man Man (yeah, Man Man!) is more in your aesthetic wheelhouse.
But the thing is: you have this housemate or work acquaintance (everyone’s got one) who generally doesn’t really listen to “difficult music” and is way psyched over Gogol Bordello because its really “unique” and “indie” sounding to him. He’s super into the idea of liking less-well-known bands in general because this whole business of Taste is sort of new to him, and he knows that you’re this big Music Dude, so he excitedly tells you that he really wants you to go see them with him on their upcoming fall tour, thinking you’ll agree that they rule. You try to argue that any band who has had its most recent record produced by old-heavy-hands Rick Rubin — as Gogol Bordello did with this year’s Trans-Continental Hustle (TMT Review) — is far from d.i.y. You even cite The Avett Brothers as proof. But it’s no use. He doesn’t know what “d.i.y.” even means. He also says that it’s too late because he already bought the tickets. He also calls you a snob.
“Am I a snob?” you think to yourself later that evening as you pick at your burrito bowl. I don’t know, ARE YOU?
Gogol Bordello tourdates:
10.06.10 - Asheville, NC - Civic Center
10.08.10 - New Orleans, LA - Republic
10.09.10 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Fest
10.13.10 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre
10.15.10 - Chico, CA - Senator Theatre
10.17.10 - Eugene, OR - MacDonald Theatre
10.19.10 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
10.22.10 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
10.23.10 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
10.29.10 - Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hallter
• Gogol Bordello: http://www.gogolbordello.com
