Electronic SubSouth Show 30
W/ Koabra, Man and Machines, Remote Control
Words: Christian Crider
Photos: Jana Miller

Appeared:
July 27, 2007
The Atlantic, Gainesville

As I settled in at The Atlantic for Electronic Subsouth’s 30th show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Electronic music has always enjoyed a happy life in the suburbs of my mind, but that night a dark cloud was cast over its cheerful existence. As the dubious host, Mr. Spagandy, took the stage, I began to wonder exactly what I’d gotten myself into. With platform boots, a top hat, and an exaggeratedly long prosthetic nose, Mr. Spagandy’s appearance sparked a great deal of curiosity amongst the churning crowd.

The first performance was an industrial act labeled Remote Control. The solo act played clever industrial music reminiscent of early Nine Inch Nails. Good vocals and solid beats made Remote Control someone to look out for in the future. The next performance is best described by the first words from my mouth as they took the stage, “Holy shit! Vampires!” Man and Machines is a trio straight from the crypt with plenty of ultra-dark mixes and larynx-shredding screams. White face paint, fake blood, mohawks, and a black feather jacket made Man and Machines a visually stimulating—if not terrifying—act. Lastly, DJ Koabra took the stage to bring the night to a vibrant close. If you’ve never been served heavy electronic beats by a man with a fishnet mask then I highly recommend it. Backlit by impressive graphics, Koabra’s spastic hyperactivity whipped the house into a dancing frenzy. As I left that night with a satisfied smile on my mug, I faced the only thing more gruesome than a rock group of screaming vampires…  I had to find a cab.