Attitude, edge, and maybe a little insanity performed on stage last Wednesday at The Rock in Tucson, AZ.

Opening the night was Julien-K, a group that is a mixture between electronica and rock to make a sound that is unique and innovative. Drawing power from each song, lead singer Ryan Shuck is the real deal performer and songwriter. The collaboration between the band including Amir Derakh on guitar, Brandon Belsky on keyboards, and Elias Andra playing drums lends to music that is both rhythmic and deep.

I hadn’t heard much of their music before this event, but I was immediately drawn in to the old school electronica feel… think Depeche Mode but edgy-er, and no overpowering heartbeat techno. I couldn’t help but think whether it was dance music or if there were real meaning behind the lyrics, I decided it was both.

Julien-K played with exuberance and maybe a little eccentricity. Especially noted was the Flock of Seagulls hairdo sported by Andra. Each member had a unique attitude, but with a cohesive feel. So, in the words of Shuck, on a reason to keep listening, “it’s mighty good.”

Playing onstage to introduce Combichrist was some square dancing music, a little confused and a little amused; it’s good to know that the hardcore industrial band has a sense of humor. But we may have noticed that it would be a little crazy when we saw the stuffed unicorn on the instruments.

Andy LePlegua performs live with an intensity, insanity and humor that kept the show going all night. The most impressive drum performance I have seen live was from percussionist Trevor Friedrich. I just loved watching him as he stood on the drums, completely drenched with water beating the drums with savagery and then visibly catching his breath. But of course, it was not complete without drummer Joe Letz, and keyboardist z_marr.

Walking around the venue I am surrounded by people either headbanging, dancing, or just jumping up and down raising their hands, all acceptable in the crowd and for the sound of the music. With a combination of dance music and hardcore metal, Combichrist allowed for a personable performance. With no barricades up front, fans would get on stage and help themselves to some crowd surfing or at least for a moment with the band.

Combichrist played from their new album another insanity themed song “Get out of my Head.” And although earplugs are cool to have, to immerse oneself in the full effect, it is necessarily to go deaf for a while, and very much worth it.

The show ended with band members thrashing instruments on stage and throwing each other about. There was even a successful crowd surfing stint by LePlegua that landed him back on stage.

The demolition, the insanity, the mindless immersion into a hardcore night was definitely needed for a midweek distraction.

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