Quite often when I bump into friends and acquaintances, they start off the conversation by asking me, "So what's new with Underworld?"
Well, the once-impossible is, in fact, true: Underworld is now smoke-free. Customers have been compliant, adjourning together for smoke breaks and then returning downstairs to their drinks, conversations, and music, being careful not to leave butts or trash on the street.
Why the change? It goes back to one of the hearts of the matter: there is no law allowing for / regulating livehouses. So under the bar's current business registration, the decade-plus of ashtrays was technically a violation. Someone complained (it took 16 years? Suspicious timing..), the bar was fined, and that ended that.
While I hate the motivation behind the move - corrupt & crap-ass neighbors doing everything to kill off the bar - the end-result in this instance is not a total loss. The air quality is much, much improved and the good music and atmosphere remain just as pleasant. So, to everyone who avoided Underworld because of the fumes, it is safe for you now. Come on down!
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As for bands, Blood Orange is back. Due to illness, I only caught a couple of songs near the end of the set, and they were sounding brutal (in a good way). The Bossman was there for the whole thing, and he commented that with a two-piece (the present incarnation of the band), bassist Kader's wicked skills jump out even more.
I did, however, manage to catch an entire show at Revolver a few weeks ago, featuring Slack Tide, Roxymoron, and an enlarged version of The Tic Tac, who were entering into some nice Arcade Fire territory. Each band played inspired sets, even the 'Morons who soldiered on after Ben's vocal chords snapped/burst/exploded.
And speaking of Roxymoron, word is they are plotting some nefarious scheme with Forests, to be enacted some time in the near future. We'll let you know when we learn more details...
On the immediate horizon, a whole lotta sonic love. The Bossman is excited for this gig at The Wall on Thursday: Dirty Projectors and RaRaRiot. We all know Steve's got good taste, so this is a pretty solid recommendation for y'all.
Congrats to Destroyers on their one year anniversary! They're really fun guys who play really fun shows. They celebrate their madness on Friday at Revolver with Kid Millionaire and Speedway. Good times assured.
Also Friday night, Luxury Apartments treat us to a free gig at Roxy Rocker.
Go Chic gives us an extra-special show at The Wall on Saturday, with the White Eyes and Formosa Romance. What makes it extra-special, you say? The ladies are off to Europe for some big, big touring. If you can't make the gig, there's a Bon Voyage after-party back at Underworld later that night, featuring special friends with DJ sets. Go go go ladies. Kick some Euro-ass!
Don't want to go back and forth across town? You can just hang at Underworld for the ever-amazing 88 Balaz and my troupe, Floaty. We're back on it with a new drummer, Sam fromThe Motions, and we're hungry to rock out. Or if you prefer something more intimate, Bobwundaye hosts Heartones and Dronetonics. Synth rock!
Outside Taipei, the fine folks in Taitung can enjoy some equally fine music, as Skip Skip Ben Ben and Until Seeing Whales Eyes continue their tour of the island. They'll hit Kaohsiung on Sunday at The Wall Pier 2, too. Excellent bands. Don't miss 'em!
Finally, as Chinese New Year approaches, we want to wish you all good times with your families and safe travels. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
