Much more than 'Gypsy-Punks'

Gogol Bordello - September 2nd 2007 @ The Commodore Ballroom

“You might want to shy away from calling it ‘Gypsy-punk,’” explains bass player Thomas Gobena of Gogol Bordello. “We are much more than Gypsy-punks.”

Hours later, as I watch Gogol Bordello play a two-hour-long set at the Commodore Ballroom, I realize that Thomas couldn’t be more right. As I look around at the sold-out crowd, some people dawning fake mustaches to emulate lead singer Eugene Hütz, others just staring in awe (possibly because Hütz’s pants keep falling down), it’s easy to see that Gogol’s stage presence and passion for music is something that none of us can deny. And we love it.

With eight members, including two dancing girls, Gogol’s live show is a chaotic circus of energy and enthusiasm, mixed with the cunning and precision of a well-trained orchestra. If it seems as though it’s a party on stage—”it is!” confirms Thomas. “We want it to be a party every day, every minute, every second!”

Having just released their fifth album, Super Taranta!, Gogol are slowly emerging from their cult status. Recently performing a duet with Madonna at the Live Earth concert in England and playing almost every festival you could imagine, they’re just getting started. They also have a lot to be proud of: they’ve just finished a long U.S./Canada tour, and they’ve already announced a European tour starting in October and ending in December; not to mention Hütz has been chosen to star in Madonna’s new film, Filth and Wisdom, which is scheduled to be released in 2008.

When asked where he sees himself in ten years, Thomas said, “I see myself having, like, a super-crazy rocket-powered wheelchair.” I laughed and began to imagine the whole band still performing, even when they are in wheelchairs. And the thing is, it didn’t even seem that weird. The strength and skill that Gogol shares is too powerful to be stopped by age or fame or anything.

In this world full of over-produced ‘music,’ Gogol seems to shine through it all, proving that real talent will always capture hearts and make a difference.

With so much humour, politics, energy and partying, what’s not to love about Gogol Bordello?


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www.megbournephotography.com