Musical Mathematics Feature // Adebisi Shank
A sharp lookin’ fella in a red fabric mask mans the bass guitar with chaotic precision whilst bouncing in unison alongside the twiddles and strikes of a juddering guitarist. The pounding, commanding, dictating, thumping, clouting drums from behind meet the electric noise in the middle. Strong riffs and hooks bellow and sound from speaker to speaker smashing hot instrumental alternative rock all over the room. (10/5/2011 @ The Brudenell Social club)
I have never in my 21 years on this planet ever ventured, in any shape or form to the part of the world called Ireland, neither north nor south. I always feel that I should go, but the opportunity has never arisen. St. Patrick’s day in Dublin (as I have been told) is shit-hot, so I don’t know why I don’t just get a cheap flight over. I think I know what I’m going to do this summer.
But, I have been indulging in a healthy dose of Irish rock music as of late. One band in particular have twisted, controlled and captivated my musical mind into a well-fashioned attractive mush. Adebisi Shank have uncompromisingly been creating a truly one-of-kind sound since the release of their 1st EP ‘This is the EP of a band called Adebisi Shank’ in 2007. The brute-force and rawness on such tracks as ‘Horse’ & ‘Jump Cut’ showed the true talent that the Irish instrumental trio possessed in their song writing and showmanship.
Adebisi Shank are a loud, eccentric, energetic, electric and elegantly experimental band who predominantly make their music with guitar, bass and drums. Yet their noise is a thick and well-crafted powerhouse of magical licks, bleeps, tinks, booms and glitches made with a sea of pedals and knobs; an orchestra of power fuzz.
With the introduction of their 1st and (most recently) 2nd album, the band from Wexford, Ireland have honed their style, proving that their music is terrific and terrifyingly addictive. Their albums, although both brilliant, each shed a contrasting light on the band, ‘This is the Album of a band called Adebisi Shank’ is a truly powerful LP which is fast paced, distorted and compellingly familiar throughout. Whilst the aptly (you guessed it) named ‘This is the Second Album of a band called Adebisi Shank’ shows right from the word ‘go,’ (well in this case the word ‘International Dreambeat’) that the album is very different from the last. The 2nd LP is more studio based opposed to the live feel of the 1st, more effects, processors and electronic based sounds are at work here, creating both a more varied and broad sound.
Adebisi Shank are becoming more and more well known with every gig, record, review and music video. Their increasing popularity has landed them some brilliant opportunities over the past few years, whether it’s touring Japan, playing SXSW over in the States, signing to Sargent House or even being nominated for a Choice Music Prize, they have done some epic stuff.
So make sure you don’t let these titans, these mammoths of instrumental alternative rock pass you by, you’ll regret it.
