BITE ME! International Noise Conspiracy Live

The International Noise Conspiracy

@The Echo

This is the first time I have been to a Kiss Or Kill night here at the Echo. Just 5 measly greenbacks for four bands can’t be beat. For your money you get a cool scene, hip but not posey, trashy but not dirty, friendly bar staff, and plenty of cool 80's punk (Clash) and garage (Stooges) between sets.

Strangely, for some unknown reason, the obvious headliners tonight actually played second on a bill of four bands. I’ll tell you about the Swedes who dress the same in a bit, but first let me tell you about Bang Sugar Bang, a four piece pop punk band who tonight made the appalling decision of including an extra member in the shape of an antagonistic, sunglasses (fuck off!) wearing beeyatch of a woman. Sucking at tambourine with all the effort of a slug with asthma, she managed to single handedly ruin every song the band did. Oh yeah, and before anyone bitches at me about it I’m well aware she was/is a member of Brian Jonestown Massacre. However, I just don’t care.

OK, onto the good stuff. If one or two in the room were in doubt as to who was coming next the bright red oversized banner slung at the back should solve the mystery. Word is INC are in town after playing Perry's big Lollapanotsogoodthesedayslooza bash in the windy city last week. The place was jammed and the vibe was great. Before we knew it the room erupted and the band detonates onto the stage. The order of the day is black and red - always a killer combo. Synchronous pogoing in matching outfits—a fury of zippered jackets and black converse—they certainly look the part.

Concentrating on their ‘to be released in October’ album (the Rick Rubin produced Armed Love) and dispensing with the classic "Up for Sale" on only their second song the guys didn’t stop for a second, seriously. The mosh pit revved up several times during the groups tight set, and the dance moves of singer Dennis Lyxzen would shame Beck if he was plugged into the national grid. Scissor kicks, handstands, and walking onto the crowds heads are all part of his repertoire, all the time sending his manifesto in a shouty style that complements the riot perfectly. In between songs there were a few rants ("It’s not about getting rid of Bush or John Kerry even, it’s about getting rid of the office altogether." Good luck with that love!) International Noise Conspiracy is known as a political band after all, but I have to admit it all kinda went over my head. Despite this the show was without a doubt great, and as the band stood up with fists raised high at the lip of the stage after the well deserved encore I felt lucky to have experienced it. –Glen