Holy shit, what a show. Health – the four piece experimental noise-rock group out of LA exceeded my expectations last night(FEB 4th) at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver; although I didn’t have time to build expectations considering I only checked out their myspace hours before the show. I was relieved that I got more than my twenty-two dollars worth of entertainment for the evening.
I love to be able to say that what I heard live was more impressive than what I heard on myspace. Their recordings are pretty rad (yes, as in radical) regardless, but their show had me in awe. Maybe the alcohol had something to do with it, I’m not sure.
Drums absolutely drove the sound, and having been previously described as “borderline insane”, I couldn’t agree more. The single part of their performance that was subdued were the vocals. Had they not been, I think my ears may have exploded. Thank god they were mellow, because I’m sure nobody would want to clean up that mess.
The correlation between what I heard and what I saw was perfection. By the end of the show I think I may have even developed a bit of a crush on John, who was doing his thing center stage. I was feeling just a little stoked on the hug I got after the set.
On a final note, two things that make HEALTH even better: They work their own merch booth, and the drummer’s initials are BJ…and they enforce it.
Words Caley Jane
Here is an extended version of the song for the die hard fans.
