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They could have been a bunch of aging rockers, those Viagra Boys, but they are anything but that. Sebastian Murphy and co just sound very potent with their raw and hypnotic post-punk, to the extent that the Swedish band has quite a reputation for rousing live shows. In Stockholm, the former hardcore boys and trained jazz musicians left a trail of destruction with their rousing kraut rhythms, perverted disco and Iggy Pop allure. Meanwhile, these are also catching on very well in Belgium, especially when they are delivered as strongly as on “Welfare jazz,” the chaotic and exuberant album on which the band dabble in introspection, country and a host of other genres. It’s a mess, but of the delicious kind the band has a patent on.
Crack Cloud is more than the seven-piece band you’ll see on stage: it’s a collective of more than twice as many men, all with a history with drug addiction. But it is even more than that: it is one of the most exciting groups in today’s post-punk scene and far beyond. With “Pain Olympics,” they delivered a real uppercut, a way to process frustrations and traumas from the past in a positive way. However, the songs are not only about the past, but also cast a critical eye on our society today. Musically, the influence of David Byrne is clearly audible, but again, this is about more. Sometimes menacing, sometimes macabre, sometimes downright aggressive, always intense. Live, the band races around you like a storm to leave you dazed. It’s going to be an exciting night at the Chapiteau.
You never know what to expect on stage from Shht, and that’s precisely why these crazy Ghent natives have become the darlings of Belgian concertgoers. With their adventurous, nervous pop, they push the boundaries of kitsch and then cross them for festivals abroad (Trans Musicales and Best Kept Secret, among others). She’s new material, they say, will be more straightforward, a promises to complement the playfulness with a newfound rawness. Something to look forward to! (source : Botanique )
