I was beckoned like a moth to the flame towards the hypnotic spotlights above Club Nokia, LA’s sleekest new concert venue, where people of all ages came March 14 to see the growing drum and bass/rock/electro phenomenon of Pendulum on their North American Tour. What entailed was a full-throttle rock out best described as orgasmic.
The enigmatic and inventive Aussie ensemble rampaged onto the American electronic dance scene like stampeding elephants on Red Bull crafting a potent, audible formula for ramping up audiences to dance wildly and throw their hands in the air.
Pendulum’s unique style comes from seamlessly combining effects of rock and electronic genres. They cite references to classic bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles as well as contemporaries like Tool, The Mars Volta and Queens Of The Stone Age. Their collaboration of drum and bass—hardcore and electro styles with metal and punk has critics reaching to find new sub-genres in which to classify them.
Pendulum’s backbone consists of drummer Paul Kodish’s hard-hitting rhythms and bassist Gareth McGrillen’s penetrating grooves. Perry ap Gwynedd rocks front and center shredding the guitar while Paul ‘El Hornet’ Harding DJ’s and mixes. Frontman/lyricist Rob Swire utilizes a voice modulator, synthesizer, and a “ztar” and while he leads the band he offers very little (if any) crowd engagement. It’s MC Verses who provides the medium between the musicians and the audience with plenty of free-styles, get-ups, and leaps across the stage.
For a little extra, VIP is the only way to go, giving access to the top level stadium seating, however it does not offer admittance to the exclusive pit entrance, which goes to the earliest (and most hardcore) fans. The venue has a modern, space-age design and LCD’s throughout for easy viewing, and with its two 50-foot long bars drinks come quick and lines are not a problem.
Donny Hooper, an avid Pendulum follower from New Zealand (now living in Las Vegas), made the trip to see his favorite band. While double fisting two Jack and cokes Hooper explained, “Pendulum took a big risk breaking out and bringing their unique ‘rocktronica’ style to the States. Compared to some of their other shows this tour has been highlighted by selective, underground venues,” giving fans that up close and personal experience.
Shortly after 11 p.m. lights dimmed and Pendulum’s trademark bass drum released several ominous, brain-busting “thum-thums” rousing listeners to the pit—deserting the bar for the first time all night. I gave my regards to Hooper and leapt over the safety rails separating general admission from the frenzied throng of mosh-ready patrons. As Pendulum took the stage, and went into an intro boding of evil and eager anticipation, I was slammed against the rails. The ebb of fans seemed never-ending.
The band jumped into “Showdown,” and the pit went nuts; a maelstrom of arms, legs and bodies flying into each other bathed by strobes and spotlights. MC Verses demanded we get our “hands in the fucking air.” So we did.
Highlights included “The Other Side,” “Granite,” and “Propane Nightmares,” from their newest album In Silico (released May 5, 2008) along with “Slam,” “Blood Sugar,” and the title track from Hold Your Colour (released May 6, 2006). An unyielding performance of “Tarantula” wrapped the set. MC Verses thanked everyone for coming out and the band started packing up gear. As people shuffled towards the exit—we cried, “encore.” Then, in a blinding flash of light, Pendulum burst back on the stage blasting “The Tempest,” with a raw force that blew our bloody socks off.
A lot of music today is watered down and formulized. Pendulum drops the hammer on that mold and people are beginning to take notice. It’s easy to understand why Pendulum earned the DNB Awards recognition for Best Live Act and Best International Act of 2008. I expect great things from this group as they push the limits of technology and art, but if I could say anything about Pendulum’s future it’s that they seem devoted to inventing it.
