First up for the evening's entertainment was Death Domain consisting of only Adam from Atlanta's Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a few vintage synths, an incredibly unique and vertical turntable and not much else. Death Domain sounds like a fantasy collaboration with Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis somewhat angrily singing for electro-punk pioneer Daniel Miller aka The Normal. After plowing through an exuberant and, in true SIDS fashion, deadpan set of pulsating electro-melodies, the creepy vibe had fully saturated the environment.
The dark atmosphere set by Death Domain was swiftly contrasted by the carefree and, to a point, endearing nature of the next act, Cream Center. A disclaimer about the necessity of touching and togetherness was followed by a screaming barrage of Dungeons and Dragons addled insanity. Equipped with only an Ipod Shuffle and no mics, the two screamers (one looking like a geeky, white counterpart to Sho Nuff and the other, a modern day Samwise Gangee) abandoned regard for personal boundries. Slaying dragons, ogres and preconcieved notions over a soundtrack fit for epic, 16-bit battles, Cream Center loosened the intimate crowd for the nights final performers.
Femme Covert, a few hours late due to post-Fathers Day traffic, took the stage in the red luminated basement of the Cider Haus around 1am. The North Carolina natives hammered their way through a brash and irreverent clusterfuck of digi-log ditties lasting, easily, three times longer than any time I had watched them before. That said, the fifteen minute set was a perfect closing to the night eccentricities. The only downside was that the vocal spasms of the always entertaining David Lee were barely audible over the synth-punk mayhem. Thanks to Josh and Jane for making this previously canceled show a possibility and, as always, the hospitality we've come to expect at a Cider Haus basement show.
Cider Haus
