Let me just start by saying this: if you are looking for a fun time at a show and Deerhoof are stopping by your area. Go. Go go go.
I saw Deerhoof last Thursday, February 3rd at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The show was one of most-fun filled I had been to in a while. The hour and 15 minute set flew by as I was dancing my ass off the entire time.
My friends and I got to the venue a little late (stopping at McDonalds first was necessary), so we missed the first band, Doomstar. We made it just in time, however, for 2nd openers, Ben Butler And Mouse Pad. Ben Butler And Mouse Pad sounded similar to Deerhoof, but with more bleeps and bloops and techno beats. Deerhoof’s drummer Greg Saunier told the crowd that Ben Butler remixed one of Deerhoof’s songs and that is how they got picked as openers. Overall, they put on a fun set.
Around 11:30, it was finally time for Deerhoof. The second they took the stage, loud cheers could be heard from the nearly sold-out audience. They opened up with the peppy “Dummy Discards A Heart” from 2003′s “Apple O”, and from that first song on, Deerhoof were extremely entertaining and fun to watch. Vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki’s teeny frame and big voice make her one of the most adorable people of all time, and Saunier proved to be a live-drumming powerhouse.
The set was relatively heavy with songs off of the band’s latest album, “Deerhoof Vs. Evil”, however, I didn’t mind this as I really, really, really dig the new album. I thought that songs from it such as lead single, “The Merry Barracks” and “Super Duper Rescue Heads!” translated so well live, however, the band still brought the fan-favorites out and played classic tracks such as “The Perfect Me”, “Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back” and “Dummy Discards A Heart” (all of these received great praise from the audience).
The best part of the show for me was the band’s final song; A cover of The Ramones’ “Pinhead”. Deerhoof absolutely nailed it and it caused them to sound a lot more post-punky than usual.
Overall, the show was awesome and I am so glad that I made the last-minute decision to go.
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