This pic seems to sum up New York-based pop electro funk band Kudu’s performance last night at Austin’s Club One 15. After what seemed to be about an hour to set up the band’s equipment, for some reason, the main microphone didn’t work. The band took the stage and hashed a furious 120-second open and then ubruptly called it quits after the lead singer bent over the drum kit and shook her ass (somewhat like a stripper would) at the small crowd who come out to hear them play. I’m not sure if it was the band’s mic or the venue’s, but the lead singer grew visibly upset and increasingly frustrated that the band wasn’t able to perform during their only SXSW appearance.
After they walked offstage, the awkward sounds of crashing equipment and other stuff being thrown against walls in the dressing room could be heard stageside. Ha! I loved it! Come all the way from New York to play your only gig and get screwed by a faulty mic; then, trash the dressing room. How Big Apple can you get?
Of course, a few patrons who’d come to hear the band were really disappointed and grumbled they’d never support the band after an arguably poor display of showmanship. I just thought, get over yourselves. This is rock and roll, buddy! What do you think, the band’s going back to their corporate day job where they have to be politically correct. For chrissake, it’s an East Village-bred electronica act. That’s part of the freakin allure! Get pissed off and take it out on the dressing room.
I was sitting at the bar, when the bar manager asked one of his bartender’s to take some pics of the damage. I asked him how bad it was. He told me, doesn’t matter, SXSW will pay for it. They have millions. I thought that was pretty cheery of him.
Needless to say, I was disappointed, but what are you gonna do? I’ll just go back to the Apple and see them at their home base, Nublu, while everyone else has to wait for the next time they come out west. If there is a next time.
After the show, I got a chance to talk with DJ D, the producer of the group. He regretted what transpired, but you could see the disappointment on his face.
Word on the street has it that D is being pursued by a major dance music industry manager. I’ll leave it at that.
Tony Z.
