07/09 Reference: Luke Hess, Brian Kage, Max Jacobson, K-rAd @ Victor Hotel
Filed under: redthreat
Photo by Ashley Penny
One of the most intense show that I’ve ever seen was this year in the dance tent at Coachella where I had the opportunity to see Pendulum. Psyched too, because as far as I know they never come to the US, I was so overwhelmed that I had to lie on the ground face up, staring at the stars as to take it all in afterward. Prodigy had the same effect a few years back at the same location. I thought that that opportunity might have been my only chance at seeing their act, but yesterday I got an email detailing a schedule for a North American tour. What at first appeared to be a pretty low-key weekend was blown wide open for me.
For those who don’t know, Pendulum is an Aussie group, six in all, that creates some of the most well composed drum & bass out there, and they absolutely decimate any arena they’re thrown into. Festival highlight material here. Another recommendation by my buddy Beep a few years back, after they dropped Hold Your Colour [Buy]in 2005, it was easily one of the best albums of the year. Their latest album, In Silico [buy], hit the stores this year, and like their freshman release strays from the comfortable cusp of electronic music that most urban, reggae-centric d&b tends to fall into. They challenge boundaries and do it successfully. Do yourself a favor, and check these guys out live if they’re hitting your city, and take a listen to these two tracks.
Prodigy – Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)
Pendulum – Propane Nightmares (VIP Mix)
Pendulum Tour Of The Americas Schedule [tickets]
10/01 Boston - Middle East
10/03 Chicago - House Of Blues
10/04 Toronto - Kool Haus
10/05 Detroit - Irock
10/07 Milwaukee - Turner Hall Ballroom
10/09 Denver - Blue Bird Theater
10/01 Salt Lake City - Murray Theatre
10/13 Los Angeles - The Mayan
10/14 San Francisco - The Fillmore
10/18 Mexico City - Motorkr
10/19 Guadalajara - Motorkr
10/22 Atlanta - The Loft
10/24 Baltimore - Ottobar
10/25 New York - Webster Hall
10/26 New York - Bowery Ballroom
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Beep here, your resident junglist….
So Rob Swire, Garreth McGrillan and Paul Harding were the trio from Perth that dropped the now classic “Vault” circa 2003 on Doc Scott’s 31 Records Label. Mr. Swire is by far the brains behind the group (doing most of the production/vocals on both of the albums).
There are two different Pendulum’s for me…the “roots” drum’n'bass production trio, and the “rock band” version. I’m partial to the earlier than the latter for many reasons.
The biggest issue with me is authenticity. Pendulum is “trying” to sound like a rock band…I’m happy they’re trying something different; they execute it well. However, they single handedly changed the way drum’n'bass was produced and engineered in this decade (whether that’s a good or bad thing: many producers went on to bandwagon the pendulum “snare” and other signature techniques of their style).
The energy they put into their productions can only be matched by few even to this day (noisia, calyx&teebee, sub focus). I just feel their rock act is a little watered down from what they did…but they still kill it.
History Lesson:
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The crowd knows what’s up @ Holy Ghost:
THIS ONE’S A STINKA: <a href = “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQdIiEUFtqk&feature=related” title=”Pendulum-Another Planet”
Comment by Beep October 3, 2008 @ 11:39 ami feel ya. the show that i saw at coachella was definitely a band gig. however, unlike any band that i’ve ever seen, these guys hammered it out harder than anything i’d ever seen before.
i have departed from my previous drum & bass preferences. it’s nice to see people going new places with an old(er) sound.
Comment by nicko October 3, 2008 @ 12:20 pmnowhere near texas
Comment by sammit October 4, 2008 @ 1:35 pmPendulum are originally Australian. just a handy hint.
Comment by Jay-Me October 7, 2008 @ 8:57 amkeep up the bangin’ blogging
They are Australian not English, the new album is not as good as hold your colour but still is very strong, I have also experienced the live show and it is amazing to watch, i however agree with Beep about two different pendulum’s as on Friday i saw a DJ set with one member Pendulum and a random MC was a good night but nothing like seeing a live band play live
KiD-A
Comment by KiD-A October 8, 2008 @ 12:12 pmHold Your Colour was an amazing album. It perfectly balanced their new rock sound and their old intense drum and bass stylings.
Some of their early originals and remixes are still smashed in clubs to this day.
I loved them
Comment by trumpdisco October 24, 2008 @ 7:53 pmTheir aussies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by LANE! November 7, 2008 @ 5:46 amTHEY’RE*. ssssoooooooooooooooo stoneeeeeeeeed
Comment by SPAIN!!!! November 7, 2008 @ 5:47 amsave to my Bookmarks
Comment by stepperFif December 3, 2008 @ 10:56 pmjust so you know, nobody really into the dnb scene acknowledges pendulum as credible dnb producer anymore…they sold out and now completely suck. however, if youre really interested, take a look at their pre-hold your colour tracks….much more intelligent and danceable music than the crap they put out now.
–the truth from a dnb head
Comment by gbm April 12, 2009 @ 2:42 pm