Anyway, I digress. How many people do you need to have in tow in order to classify as a gypsy troupe? Gogol Bordello has nine members. Legit gypsy. I wish they had a wagon cart instead of a tour bus…
Style wise, Eugene looks more and more like Daniel Day Lewis circa Gangs of New York with each show. I'm not even wholly convinced that ISN'T Daniel Day Lewis. I do appreciate the bottom knot Hintz's button up is in; he doesn't know it but he is casting my style right now.
With the highest performing energy, Hintz bounds from mic to mic as a roadie chases him around the stage. Rushing to the front of the stage, you would think he's about to dive over the photo pit but rather just head bangs over us all. It's hard to focus on anything beyond the performance in front of you as Gogol Bordello's music is such a captivating interesting blend of old world fiddle and accordian with rock guitar and drums. It's hard to distinguish when one song begins, another ends, when one language is French, another Ukranian, another Nell...
I imagine Hutz to live his life as if it were the introduction to Moulin Rouge-- it's very sprightly colored and everything is moving incredibly fast. For a giant spazz, Gogol has amazing control over his band, tight and polished even in the breakdowns during song transitions. No one seems abashed or inhibited as they aggressively and enthusiastically eat the microphone. Not even the fiddler can be distracted from his performance; it's only the third song and his bow is already beginning to fray apart.
Their over the top performances have gotten Gogol banned from CB/GB, Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom. I wonder how Gogol Bordello will leave Japan after their two post-All Points Wests shows.
photos: Andrew Katzowitz
