The first act to take the stage was Experimental Dental School, a noise rock group that produced more noise than rock. After hearing a couple of their dissonant songs, I had to leave the venue. I went and stood outside and talked to some friends of mine that couldn’t handle the music either. I generally like bands that do something different with their music, but this was just a bit too much. After making unmelodic noise for half an hour the band called it quits, much to the pleasure of my ears. After hearing the set I was confused as to how this band has made it as a touring band.

The next act for the night led to even more confusion. Macromantics, a white female hip hop artist from Melbourne, Australia took the stage. Along side her DJ, who only had one turntable, she took the audience back to the old school. It was hard for me to understand her rhymes, but I enjoyed listening to her spit her lines. After the novelty wore off, I could tell that she actually was really into hip hop, and not just putting on an act.

Aside from her fashion faux paux outfit, consisting of 80s jeans and a one piece swim suit, she rocked the stage. I am not too sure if the crowd was just trying to figure this artist out or what, but the audience remained motionless throughout most of her set.

Finally, it was time for the headliner to take the stage. After the first two acts, I was definitely ready to see Deerhoof. The band is on tour supporting their most recent release, Friend Opportunity. The first thing I noticed, once they took the stage, was the drum set. It was as unconventional as the sound that Deerhoof is known for.

Having never heard Deerhoof live before, I wasn’t sure what I was in for.
Hearing the group live is different than hearing their records. Their songs live are very tight, while retaining their abstract qualities that make them so interesting in the first place. Finally, the noise had some rock to go with it. Also, I have to give drummer Greg Saunier credit for being one of the craziest live drummers I have ever seen. During the hour set he managed to break several drumsticks. He also managed to break the folding chair he was sitting on.

Leaving Numbers I still couldn’t figure out how the opening band managed to get a record out, or if Macromantics would be embraced in the hip-hop community, but it was quite clear that Deerhoof was a band that was definitely worth seeing live.