Deerhoof Make Their Korean Debut
Posted by: Shawn ˑ December 8, 2011 – 9:00 amBy Shawn Despres
Highly acclaimed experimental art rockers Deerhoof will be playing a pair of Seoul shows on Friday (December 9) and Saturday (December 10).
Touring East Asia in support of this year’s “Deerhoof vs. Evil,” their weekend concerts will be Deerhoof’s first time playing in South Korea. Formed in 1994, the band keep quite busy regularly gigging around the globe, which explains the delay in getting over here. Ultimately, it was the Korean music scene’s growing reputation that made them want to finally visit.
“We tour so much already and we aren’t usually looking for new places to add,” shares drummer Greg Saunier. “But we have been hearing great things about Korean shows from too many people, so we knew it was time. We had to come.”
Often only able to spend one night in the new cities they play, Saunier, vocalist/bassist Satomi Matsuzaki, and guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez are looking forward to having a few days to explore Seoul and mingle with the locals.
“Two shows in one city is really something special,” says Saunier. “I hope we can talk to people and make some new friends.”
Although “Deerhoof vs. Evil” was originally issued in January, the Korean version of the album just came out in mid-November. The domestic release features Korean liner notes from Han Sang-chol, the guitarist for the excellent instrumental rock band Bulssazo, and a bonus disc with live cuts and remixes from the likes of Japanese indie darling Shugo Tokumaru and Korea’s own Junjayang.
“Deerhoof vs. Evil” was self-recorded in the summer and fall of 2010 in the group’s practice space and Rodriguez’s basement. Reviews for the album have been positive with Paste Magazine saying, “Deerhoof never ceases to amaze. The band strikes a near-perfect balance between oddball accessibility and brazenly challenging their listeners to accept new and jarring sounds.”
“When we make a new record we just wipe the slate clean and we don’t assume anything should stay the same, “explains Saunier. “We just try inventing a new kind of music from scratch. Actually even if we tried to repeat ourselves I don’t think we would know how.”
Expect a mix of “Deerhoof vs. Evil” tunes and seasoned gems at Deerhoof’s Hongdae gigs. Sangsang Madang’s classy digs and the rec room-feel of the tiny Bbang will make for very different concert experiences for fans. But even if Deerhoof were schedule to play both Seoul shows in the same venue, Saunier promises that each night would be unique.
“There will be old songs and new songs,” says Saunier. “But when we start playing it doesn’t really matter too much. All the songs flow together. The live sound is rawer than the records. It’s almost like we’re a Deerhoof cover band when we perform.
“Any kind of venue we play, we make it our home for one night. But even if we played twice in a row on the same stage the show would be very different. There are always funny things that happen in the moment and never come again.”
Deerhoof perform on December 9 at Sangsang Madang. Tickets are 38,000 won in advance and 43,000 won at the door. The show starts at 7:30 pm and Oorutaichi and Junjayang will open. Deerhoof also perform on December 9 at Bbang. Tickets are 30,000 won in advance and 35,000 won at the door. The show starts at 6:30 pm and 3rd Line Butterfly, Bulssazo, Bamseom Pirates, and Look and Listen will open.
For those wanting a sneak preview of the Deerhoof live experience, you can download the band’s free 11-track live album “99% Uspet Feeling” here.
