{"id":25612,"date":"2017-02-06T10:12:48","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T10:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=25612"},"modified":"2017-04-12T12:19:13","modified_gmt":"2017-04-12T11:19:13","slug":"x-machines-boss-hog-turn-up-the-heat-at-the-hackney-oslo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2017\/02\/x-machines-boss-hog-turn-up-the-heat-at-the-hackney-oslo\/","title":{"rendered":"X-MACHINES – Boss Hog Turn Up The Heat At The Hackney Oslo"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Picture by Sam Wells<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s been 17 long years since Boss Hog last had an album to tour, so Friday\u2019s show at Hackney\u2019s Oslo was an event not to be missed.<\/h4>\n

After a subtly beguiling support slot from Aussie songsmith Suzie Stapleton<\/strong>, the tiny above bar venue began filling rapidly in anticipation\u00a0of one of New York city\u2019s most carnal and provocative cult acts.<\/h4>\n

Noise-core aficionados of all ages were in attendance, reflecting the extraordinary longevity of a band that\u2019s been bursting eardrums and ripping up stages since 1989.<\/p>\n

Sirens heralding their presence, the band tear into the excellent Wichita Grey<\/em><\/strong> from last year\u2019s comeback EP Brood Star<\/em><\/strong> and it’s raw power all the way from then on.<\/p>\n

Songs rip by at breakneck speed, the band stretched to the limit, yet just about managing to keep it all together.<\/p>\n

A whirl of energy, frontwoman Cristina Martinez<\/strong> dominates proceedings, constantly criss-crossing the stage as she belts out her vocals.<\/p>\n

Menacingly seductive on record, live she\u2019s a bubbly, joyous presence, all smiles as she takes time out to introduce the rest of the band.<\/p>\n

Guitarist Jon Spencer<\/strong>, leader of Blues Explosion<\/strong> and Pussy Galore<\/strong>. <\/strong>is happy here to play second fiddle to his wife, skilfully creating space in his machine gun blues breaks for her voice to shine through.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a genuine crackle of electricity between them, particularly when he steps up to the\u00a0mic to back her on vocals.<\/p>\n

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Picture by Sam Wells<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drummer Hollis Queens<\/strong>, partially hidden at the back of the small stage, still\u00a0leaves her mark, joining in the call and response vocal interplay while pounding away at her kit.<\/p>\n

Between song repartee is kept to a minimum, though Martinez leaves the crowd in no doubt about her views on the new incumbent of the White House.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what I was thinking when I wrote this, but it quickly became about our new dictator,\u201d she says, before launching into Disgrace<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

New songs from the upcoming Brood X<\/em><\/strong> album (see EP review<\/a>), merge seamlessly with older material like the funky I Dig U<\/em><\/strong> and the ferocious \u201csuicide\u201d screaming of Ski Bunny<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Minor technical difficulties ensue during the encore, during which a fan\u2019s request gets a merciless rebuffing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not happening tonight honey,\u201d Martinez\u00a0purrs, before adding: \u201cDo you hear that a lot from females?\u201d<\/p>\n

A brief nature lesson on cicadas follows, as a prelude to an airing of\u00a0new track\u00a017<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A slow (for them) and reflective song with a staccato almost polka rhythm – it may just be the best thing they\u2019ve done to date.<\/p>\n

Then all too soon it’s all over and ears ringing, we scuttle back out into the freezing February night.<\/p>\n

Here’s \u00a0hoping we won’t have to wait another 17 years before they\u2019re back this way again.<\/p>\n