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Words & Images by: Jake Krolick
Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 :: North Star Bar : Philadelphia, PA
Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 |
To dance is to move the whole body, letting it become a collaborator with the soul. Ghostland Observatory, the vivacious pairing of Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner, tap into a powerful form of awakening, stirring the delicate forces of life with their uncontainable dance music. It's hard to categorize Ghostland Observatory but they join the New Wave revival with boogie beats and screaming guitar. Frontman Behrens' fanatical vocals, occasional guitar playing and spirited stage presence combine with Turner's drums and synthesizers to create a sound in the vein of the Talking Heads, Daft Punk and Depeche Mode. There's a grand '80s absurdity about Ghostland Observatory, but it's a fun absurdity that knows how to throw one raging dance party.
Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 |
The room appeared sparse minutes before the Austin duo attacked the North Star stage, but as soon as the music began Tuesday's crowd appeared out of thin air. The cued rush of sixty-plus to the dance floor by Turner's opening thuds was captivating. Known as an agreement between friends to create powerful rock 'n' roll, Ghostland Observatory has churned out two albums on Trashy Moped Records in less than a year, and their electrifying live performances and unique style are increasing their fanbase by the day.
Turner festooned himself in a baby blue floor-length cape as Behrens strutted around dressed in standard rock issue skintight blue jeans, tee shirt and aviator sunglasses. Turner looked like the Phantom of the Opera brooding over his keys, his movements and faces quirky yet reserved. His drum chops weren't much to speak of but the synthed-out funk keyboards were intense and powerful, a freaky mishmash of Bernie Worrell, Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. And, it wasn't just funk. His style flaunted bits of The Human League, Devo and a multitude of other synth-pop bands to create raw and wild sound that bathed Philly in a powerful new light.
Aaron Behrens - Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 |
Together they form quite the odd couple, total polar opposites. Behrens was the quintessential performer in the spirit of Mick Jagger, Prince or Freddie Mercury, riding high on a heavy dose of ancient shaman medicine. His stage performance is one part rock 'n' roll hero and one part motivated mystic similar to Turkey's Whirling Dervishes. He bestowed his spirit on the first three rows like a sermon to a congregation. Women pushed forward, drawn up by his gyrating on the undersized Northstar stage during "Stranger Lover." Turner screamed into a vocoder as Behrens mimicked the audience's movements with his own wild undulations. To discerning ears, Behrens' guitar playing is less stellar than his dance moves and piercing vocals, but that was easy to overlook in light of his other gifts.
Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 |
The room's energy was in perfect equilibrium as the exchange between performer and crowd took hold. The more Behrens and Turner upped the energy, the harder the floor trembled. The pair played "Sad Sad City" like best friends skipping down a path on a hot summer day. Each zipped along with their own agenda yet kept ending up at the same destinations.
Turner blasted skull-shattering noise in the middle of "Move With Your Lover," where the double stack of speakers behind him pumped a mind-melting jam that slowly drifted out to a sea of white noise and low tones. Behrens stood with his back to the crowd, dripping sweat from his shoulder length braids. The fingers on his left hand tickled the neck of the guitar in time to the laser beam bursts emitted from the keys. Turner manipulated the bizarre sound, building it as Behrens spun and grabbed the mic. He launched us back into the raging "Move With Your Lover," which created a mob scene on the floor. The room took on an atmosphere of its own, as bodies moved every which way. We breathed in the show's scent, filling our nostrils with the thick, pungent musk of alcohol, sex and evaporating dancer sweat.
Ghostland Observatory :: 4.17.07 |
The crowd surged to 80+ people and Behrens remarked, "You must have done it like rabbits and multiplied." Ghostland Observatory relentlessly pushed ahead with "Rich Man" off their first album. The song encompassed the best of both worlds - a simple charging guitar line and a swirling synthesizer that forced us to continue the dance. Brehans fell into a trance. He may have physically been on stage but his mind was light-years away. As they finished the show, Behrens clasped Turner's arm, catching his breath, smiling and mouthing something to him. He must have found what he was searching for locked deep in his movements.
Ghostland Observatory isn't for the humorless or faint of heart. You will instantly love or hate them. There aren't many bands that make me want jump up and scream within the opening seconds of a song. Brehans and Turner manage to do it over and over again.
Click below for a Video of this performance.
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