Spare Room Be our guest…

by David Skipwith

Brooklyn based hip-hop beat/electro-rock twosome Ratatat are on to a good thing with Kiwi audiences, notching up a hat-trick of visits to our shores during the past two years. I moseyed down to the Auckland’s Monte Cristo Room, a venue growing in reputation, to see their sell out show last Wednesday. It’s part of the Australia-NZ leg of their tour supporting their latest album LP3.

The Monte Cristo Room has a history as diverse as the three levels that make up the building, with the acclaimed Toto’s Restaurant on the ground floor, the plush bar surrounds and adjacent events room of the second tiered Monte Cristo Room and the darker concrete, alcove and pillared basement level Bacco Room each providing a different atmosphere to suit all flavours, styles and pay packets.

The Nelson Street site has been host to many music events over the past 18 months but has only recently really begun cementing itself as a venue that springs to mind when considering local entertainment options. It is a welcome addition, providing the Auckland scene with two mid-sized alternatives to the likes of aging rock stalwart, the Kings Arms – or the flashy, Johnny-come-lately and opinion dividing Cassette Number 9. But more on the colourful quirks and characters of this disparately tasteful hive later.

Ex-Mint Chick Michael Logie’s solo project F in Math opened proceedings early to a still gathering but inquisitive and appreciative crowd. For those who have yet to take in his new act, Logie describes the style as bass driven punk rock – electronica, inspired equally by the still to be banned substance Salvia and the perfect form of a dodecahedron. You can pick elements as diverse as Devo and Sepultura in the sound, and plenty else in between.

Using various effects pedals, a drum machine and vocoder-style robotic vocals, the F in Math set consisted of many songs that were developed during Logie’s time in England, immediately following his departure from the Mint Chicks. Some tracks, such as the speedy, beat heavy set-openers ‘Dinosaur Faith Test’ and ‘Electrolysis’ found their origins in that band’s writing and demo sessions and share some of the rawer qualities that marked their work. Logie is no one-trick pony however, evident in other songs, particularly the slower more down-beat ‘No Face’.

Unfortunately, F in Math were unable to reach true next level-ism this evening, as the early time slot clashed with diners in the restaurant above prompting the soundman to limit his volume; hindering what should have been a more striking performance. Logie still managed to go out on an inspired high-note, with the heavier and aptly titled ‘Demon Skulls’ as his closer. “It’s about snorting crushed-up demon skulls,” apparently.

Contrastingly, the sweet school aged pop quartet Moron Says What?! followed to what was now a rather full and toasty warm room. The past 18 months has seen MSW?! win over local audiences with their cheery, precocious and upbeat tunes and the release of their first EP Pop Up. I have yet to lend my ears to this release but have seen them numerous times, always finding them engaging and catchy but finding it harder to immerse myself further beyond the initial curiosity level.

Admittedly, I was preoccupied with the brief disappearance of my wallet and hip-flask and spent a good portion of their set bludging a couple of beers from good hearted friends, in preparation for the main act. Their set was again well received, despite my wandering mind, and such a billing is a credit to the growing reputation the band have carved for themselves.

After a long and typically synth-heavy intro, Ratatat took the stage. Unfortunately such a build-up left me a little flat when the pair’s arrival did not coincide with some kind of musical crescendo, though few seemed to notice or care. I had been looking forward to taking in this show in the warmer sounding, carpeted Monte Cristo Room, and while the sound quality is generally better than the shrill and somewhat echo-ey basement level, this aspect was tempered by the low stage making it difficult for many beyond the raucous front rows to see what was happening ‘up’ on stage.

Not much it seems, as the duo are anything but dynamic in their presence, remaining composed and focused on the sequencing and timing of their instruments and programming. The ever-present visuals projected onstage are impressive – notably the Predator visuals accompanying ‘Mirando’ – and add to their surreal sounds. It’s just a shame that you find yourself taking them in full-time rather than them supplementing your view of the pair going about their work.

The set seemed to follow suit, continually building and promising much but often teasing and drawing back again without any grand pay-off. The mixed crowd of eager all-ages and older fans were determined to enjoy however, with LP3 singles ‘Shiller’, ‘Shempi’ and particularly ‘Mirando’ proving that a lack of vocals or physical energy does not prevent an audience from cutting loose. Incredibly, some punters took things one step beyond, as the not-even-remotely aggressive grooves and beats unwittingly became the soundtrack for a nasty stoush between some towards the front of the crowd.

Ratatat are a great act and should be the soundtrack to good times, as many present found on this eve, and as have I on their previous tours here. No doubt they’ll be back again, hopefully leaving a more memorable impression on me. Personally, on this occasion, I was more enamoured with the meter long pizzas the bar dished out at the night’s end. Yum yum!