Metal Jew

Orphaned Land slay London

I went to see Orphaned Land live in London last night. Although I've written about them loads over the year, I'd never actually seen them perform before. Given that it was a v hot day and the gig started crazily early, plus the fact that their version of metal isn't that popular in the UK, the attendance wasn't at all bad - probably about 300. As someone who respects rather than loves there most recent album (it's a bit proggy for my tastes) I was totally knocked out by what a great live act they are. They've been touring a lot and it shows. They know how to work a crowd and Kobi isn't just a great vocalist, he's a charismatic frontman who holds the crowd in the palm of his hands. Despite the often lengthy and involved songs, there was a real buzz about the gig: Orphaned Land's fans really love the band. In particular, the oriental elements of their music - which are completely integrated into their metal sound -  are wildly appreciated.

The best thing of all? I saw a woman with a hijab in the audience, going wild for the band. I've never seen that at a metal show and how many Israeli bands attract observant Muslims. I was moved...

Best song? 'El Norra El Norra':

Patrick Aleph Nails It

There's a nice little post on Jewcy from Patrick Aleph of Punk Torah (whose site appears to have been hijacked) and the Jew-Punk band Can!!Can
Aleph explains what makes his music Jewish and how he feels alienated from most conceptions of Jewish music:

They don't know what to say to me. Jewish music falls under four categories for them: Debbie Friedman, their parents Klezmer records, the Carlebach family, and the soundtracks to Yenta and Fiddler on the Roof. Maybe a fifth category too, the one that takes contemporary music, pours Mel Brooks love-shmaltz all over it, and becomes a Jewish self parody of the cool music.

The truth is, I've never liked that stuff. It's not authentic to me.

The things in the Jewish tradition that are dark and weird...that's my area. While everyone is celebrating the victory of Hanukah, I'm thinking about all the Hellenistic Jews that got murdered. My favorite midrashim (Jewish legends) are about Aaron's sons being burned to death and Abraham smashing his father's idols, then giving him a "fuck you" answer when asked about it.

Shout out to Boom Pam and Koby Israelite

I feel hugely guilty about not giving a name check to the excellent Koby Israelite album King Papaya which came out a few months ago - I got a promo copy but never mentioned the album. More recently, the same publicist sent me a copy of the new Boom Pam album Puerto Rican Nights. The latter represent an intriguing fusion of klezmer, surf guitar and punkish attitude. The album's quite fun but I have to say that one of the band's most distinctive features - the use of tuba rather than bass -  just doesn't work for me. The only place for the tuba is on the Curb Your Enthusiasm soundtrack (and btw what are the semiotic implications for Seinfeld's soundtrack being the bass guitar and CYE being the tuba?).

Research on queer metal fans

Amber Clifford, an American academic, is conducting research on queer metal fans. For those who fall into that category, there's an online questionnaire to fill out here.