Julien-K Summer 2018 Tour #20

Fishhead Cantina, Halethorpe, MD – 08/03/2018
 

 

It can truly be said that Julien-K is one of this generation’s great success stories. Blending electronic, alternative rock, and pop stylings into a musical sound that is as classic as it is modern, the band continues to showcase an ever evolving visual aesthetic that recalls the fashion forward attitudes of Duran Duran and Depeche Mode. Through numerous crowdfunding campaigns, the Julien-K fanbase has proven to be one of the most loyal and supportive in today’s music scene, and the band certainly knows how to repay in kind. In the summer of 2018, with several dates as the opening act for the Revolution 3 Tour, Julien-K took to the road, appearing in Halethorpe, MD’s Fishhead Cantina on a hot and sticky August evening.

 

After a series of local alt. rock acts, Julien-K arrived on the blue-lit stage, immediately evoking a signature style of gothic cool. The gritty ascending chords build in tension and power, the band and the audience revving up together as “Flashpoint Riot” begins the band’s set with a one-two punch of electrifying rock power; the chants of the chorus get the crowd riled up in fine form, with the set list continuing with newer tracks like “Strange Invisible,” “Deep Beat Underground,” “Mannequin Eyes,” “California Noir,” and “Photo Voltaire.” “Dossier,” and “Dark Cadence,” as well as a few older favorites like “Kick the Bass” and “Maestro.”

 

This writer has often referred to front man and guitarist Ryan Shuck as a great singer, and while his recorded output is testament enough to this, it is in the live environment that he truly shines, never allowing any obstacle to prevent him from performing at 110%. On top of that, he and Amir Derakh complement each other’s guitar playing with the sort of interplay that can only come from years of partnership and artistic synergy – Shuck’s gyrating, sensual movements belying the gritty power of his riffs, while Derakh’s balance of force and texture shimmers as brilliantly as the stage lights reflective off his silver-plated axe. And then there is keyboardist/bassist/backup vocalist Bidi Cobra, whose own stage presence is something to behold as he pulls off triple duty onstage; as front-and-center as Shuck, he complements every aspect of the band’s music while also clearly in a chilled out zone of his own. He and Derakh both handle background tracks via their iPads, while drummer Alex Gonzales demonstrates his percussive prowess to the programmed rhythms. Never a band to disregard the importance of the fans, Shuck took more than a few moments between songs at various points to express the band’s gratitude, all culminating in an atmosphere of collective enjoyment that came to an end with a vibrant rendition of “Blue Monday.”

 

Although the band’s minimalist stage setup could easily be attributed to budgetary concerns, there is a certain logistical efficiency to it as well; no flashy video projections or stage props, no flamboyant costumes, or other visual distractions – just a band with a slick fashion sense and a tight-knit production sense. Julien-K’s live show is admirable for its simplicity, with an absolutely palpable electricity shared between artist and audience. This fall, Julien-K will once again be on tour, sharing the bill on various dates of Jonathan Davis’s Black Labyrinth Tour, dates with The Birthday Massacre, and Ghostfeeder… if you can catch any of these shows, you are highly encouraged to do so for Julien-K puts on a show not to be missed.

 

Julien-K
Website, Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, SoundCloud, YouTube

 

Article by Ilker Yücel (Ilker81x)
Photography by India Morgue – courtesy of PhotoMorgue