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Words by: Adam Eshleman | Images by: Doug Bauman
Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad :: 01.21.09 :: Zeno's Pub :: State College, PA
 Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad :: 01.21 |
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad's arrival in State College was an unexpected treat for me. This time of year, with the mercury falling faster than the stock market, reggae resides at the bottom of my playlists, like the shorts at the bottom of the clothes drawer. But that's not to say I'd miss a chance to catch some performed live, and clearly the same held true for the sell-out crowd gathered at Zeno's for this delectable dub demonstration. Leading up to start time, the small basement-dwelling bar burgeoned beyond its occupancy limit, leaving about 20 fans shivering outside, clinging to hopes of sharing in the candescent warmth of the evening's performance.
The show itself was unanticipated, and the surprises definitely didn't stop there. Before they played a single note, I was struck by the unusual appearance of not one but two mammoth, old-style organs flanking the stage. Why lug these antique behemoths around night after night, when more portable modern keyboards can replicate their sound? The answer is the organs' analogue technology, bassist James Searl told me during set break. He explained GPGDS uses only analog instruments and effects, which they believe resonate with people better than their digital counterparts. The result, he said, is an enhanced vibe. Vocalist-guitarist Matthew O'Brian used another surprising tactic to cultivate ambiance. Before the show, he burnt sage on the base of his mic stand, explaining it too encourages good vibes. He also said the band almost never writes set lists. Instead, they allow the audience's energy to direct their song choice. With so much attention to such subtle atmospheric intricacies, it was apparent these guys put a lot of effort into the small things. And when the show began, this level of craftsmanship became all the more pronounced.
 Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad :: 01.21 |
They began with "Incognito." The mellow tempo and easy-going organs on this track hit me like a zephyr straight out of Zion, quickly thawing the negativity crystallizing in my soul these many long, cold nights. With the two organs fired up and pleasantly bleating a robust polyrhythm, GPGDS's delicious dub wafted through crowd, evoking a gentle undulation and a flurry of applause. Next, they increased the tempo with "Work Very Hard," a song particularly appealing for its descending harmonized guitar riffs and minor tonality. Another first set highlight was "Pollen Song," which also rocked some righteous riffery. After the first few songs, this group's surprisingly authentic brand of roots-style reggae had won over the crowd. Their vibe manipulation tactics succeeded in transforming a collection of swaying patrons into an adamant mob of dancing revelers.
I don't typically think of reggae as party music, but after a set-closing "Seasons Change," I was forced to reevaluate my assumptions. The song began innocently enough, and until it reached a dubbed out instrumental section it seemed just like any other. Using tape delays and the ever-present wah, O'Brian and Dylan Savage traded guitar solos, their bright, chirping staccatos decaying in and out of coherence. Behind them, the band slowly built momentum until at last, casting aside their reserved reggae in favor of raging sonic mayhem, all six members reached a dynamic of towering proportions. A wall of sustained sound and rhythm roared through the audience, inspiring pumping fists and approving screams across the entire bar. The energy level had hit a maximum; the small pub seemed on the verge of popping like an over-inflated balloon.
After allowing the audience a chance to catch its collective breath, they began the second set with songs of a more political nature. "Easy Buffalo" was first up, and as the title suggests, this song is as easy and relaxed as they come. But, beneath its placid veneer lies a biting critique of over-consumption and laziness. Next, social criticism came by way of "Pockets," a darker tune that's a personal favorite both for its progressive appeals and mean guitar work. "It's a war of culture, politics, religion/ a struggle of our souls/ Nations rise, nations fall/ and they be filling up their pockets." With these words, they drew a bead on the social injustice and rampant avarice that corrupts our society. Later, they played "Threaten You." With lyrics like "I'll never use this music to threaten you," this song struck me as a tongue-in-cheek gesture to the status quo, particularly within the incendiary context of the preceding songs. This segment really lent credence to the "Guerilla" component of the band's name.
 Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad :: 01.21 |
The set gained momentum from the start, and after they performed a very danceable rendition of "Burkina Faso" I was pretty sure it couldn't get any better. But, as surprises were the order of the evening, it did. Launching abruptly with sharp, explosive chords and rolling drums, "Easy Way Out" propelled the crowd into a dancing frenzy. As the song progressed, the tight reggae staccato loosened into an improvised jam. The resulting dub chaos eventually congealed into a driving funk groove, and once again, Giant Panda incited uproar on the dance floor. For the encore, they chose "Blacktoke." While I deeply enjoyed its creative, almost indie-rock riffing, I don't think this song topped the energy and fan response elicited by that fantastic funk jam.
All night, GPGDS worked the crowd like a puppeteer. Just when my attention began to drift or my dance drive sputtered, they seemed to sense it. They'd quickly offer a change in tempo, a heavy drum and bass solo, a little flighty work on the Melodica or some other trick straight out of leftfield. I walked into the show expecting a nice collection of concise reggae songs. I left expecting the unexpected. This group is full of surprises, and perhaps the greatest surprise of all was their uncanny ability to feel out the crowd and react to subtle variations in its mood. This is a band that likes to jam, but more than that, it's a band that likes to see you to get down with them.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is on tour now; dates available here.
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