French Horn Rebellion
Brooklyn Bowl, New York City • January 18, 2013
May Terry
The last days of disco and ’80s dance music are not over; they just evolved. At least that’s the strong message coming from Wisconsin-born and Brooklyn-based brothers David and Robert Perlick-Molinari, otherwise known as The French Horn Rebellion. With the room packed with party-hearty FHR fans at Brooklyn Bowl, I can’t disagree.
Similar to bands like Cut Copy, FHR plays into the 21st-century phenomenon called Nu-Disco, a retro-mix of ’70s disco with perky synth loops and rhythms from the ’80s. Sure, Depeche Mode and New Order may be shrugging off this music with a “been there, done that” attitude. Nevertheless, I’ll say that FHR sits in their own fabulous corner of Nu-Disco for two reasons: they put on a really fun show full of onstage shenanigans, and they’ve got a French horn.
Joined by an eight-piece band with special guest JD Samson (formerly of Le Tigre and MEN), FHR delivers an over-the-top, head-pounding dance energy with most of the mixing from brother David, and vocals with keyboards and live French horn wails from brother Robert. The onstage theatrics create an all-out figure-it-out-as-you-go kind of spontaneous set. The backing musicians are just as wild, with paint streaks on their faces, dancing and jumping up and down with “raise the roof” moves. Brother David, at one point, play acts a fight with brother Robert, raises his keyboard and pretends to wallop him with it. Overacted looks of amazement coame from brother Robert as one of the band members does his own rap routine.
This is an all-out FHR dance party that’ll make you throw your hands in the air and wave ‘em like you just don’t care. The mirror ball and stage lighting at Brooklyn Bowl further kick up the dance experience, and there isn’t one person within 50 feet of that stage who stands as a wallflower.
The French Horn Rebellion is a band to see as a cure for the doldrums of winter and ending your Office Space work week on a high note. Catch them on their Love Is Dangerous Tour going on now.
French Horn Rebellion: http://frenchhornrebellion.com ◼
