 Scissor Sisters @ Tokyo UNIT (25th Feb '05)
Filthy, Gorgeous And Utterly Magnifique In An Most Aptly Titled Venue... Scissor Sisters Create An Environment Rivaling Studio 54's In Its Heyday
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"So darling tell me...Where have all the good times gone?" Well, that's what David Lee Roth uttered so many times as he strutted back and forth across stages worldwide in the early 80's off their full of attitude 'Diver Down' album preceding his final contribution to the glory years of Van Halen with '1984.' And whilst some fans of this seminal party rock band still hopelessly await a reunion that seems to always implode just as it seems to be possible, that question has resurfaced over and over in a world rocked with so many heavy, disturbing realities quickly and readily distributed to bring us down. Luckily for us, amongst all these downers that seem to have snowballed since 9/11 particularly, 5 intrepid New Yorkers took a proactive stance and coalesced their skills back in 2003 that resulted in one of the most satisfying debuts in dance music with their January 2004 self-titled 'Scissor Sisters.'
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This all-night event, punctuated by this feverish word of mouth for months in the making, naturally accelerated as the date came closer and their well-publicized winning of the highly-regarded Brits, sparked a ticket frenzy that was just too little, too late for most: The Scissors event was sold out beyond weeks prior and with that nightmarish reality for many in the Scissorhood in Tokyo, acts of desperation came in many forms in trying to get in someway. These fears and acts of desperation were well-substantiated as it proved to be a night for the ages. |
With 3 recent Brit awards amongst the others garnered and a fierce international word-of-mouth campaign that first took off slowly last spring, Scissors massive and growing success shows no signs in slowing down. The tasty result of this new reality was that it has duly sent them packing and playing houses worldwide, excitedly bringing these 5 to Japan for the first time in showcasing just why so many consider them as the leading provocateurs of a sorely needed outlet for free-spirited fun in quite a mad world. Whether dancing without a care, making out or just simply relishing the sheer dynamism felt between their personas, songwriting and blending of styles that's effortlessly captivated the masses, the Scissors highly anticipated and needed original party time rock n roll, disco dance pop musical revue of sorts came to the tiny aptly named venue UNIT, 3 floors below the streets of Daikanyama, one of Tokyo's most trendy neighborhoods.
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By 11, UNIT was awash in this optimal environment as it was further heightened by the diversified skillful mixes of one of club music's most unrecognized, yet prolific deejay/producers Shinichi Osawa from Mondo Grosso fame. Bringing subliminally a bigger and bigger beat to the floor, he stoked the fires of an increasing exuberance for the forthcoming jubilations inside that soon would be unstoppable. Aiding Shinichi's appropriate ambience mastery were 4 well-toned ornately dressed and not dancers who were paired up to further entice our elevating anticipations to dizzying delights. As the floor swelled and overflowed to the point were it was just a sea of rhythmic movements to his handiwork, all eagerly awaited the Sisters arrival with occasional looks at their watches or phones. |
As the security tightened outside and inside as the doors opened at 10, anyone could tell there simply weren't enough tickets and it was definitely going to be a sweatbox inside as the droves of people steadily descended into UNIT. With such expectations as high as they were, some perhaps were ready to be disappointed somehow, but this was not to be as the anticipation levels and good vibes inside simply increased steadily.
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| Slated times plastered throughout UNIT, one couldn't help, but notice that matters were running slightly behind, but it didn't matter. This reality just added to the drama and sheer excitement for all inside in having one long boogie to an act that help bring back the bump and fun in their well-crafted infectious danceable pop. Scissors are perhaps the closest to the hedonistic dance environment of mid to late 70's into the early 80's and oh how they were ever ready in Tokyo this night to get off to the Scissors immense pleasure. |
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With some vintage Dolly Parton cheerfully cranked on the P.A. as all inside quickly clapped away in complete unison, the Scissor Sisters soon triumphantly sauntered onstage with an absolute cool confidence lined with sly smiles to an ecstatic 600 plus Scissorhood, far beyond the stated venue capacity of the coincidentally named "UNIT." Surely a name worth a chuckle in itself for both the band and their crew in their highly anticipated inaugural visit to Tokyo as they rightfully strutted to their adoring fans who'd end up endearing them even further by sets end. |
 As the fedora and suspenders-wearing Babydaddy (guitar/bass/keys) led the way alongside timekeeping high-hat master Paddy Boom in suit, a smartly dressed Del Marquis (guitar/bass), sultry siren Ana Matronic and the forever-energetic Jake Shears took the stage with additional Sister JJ Garden on keys situated next to Paddy. Instantaneously, the insides of UNIT erupted in an uniform and sustained effervescence from the mass outpouring of love for this collective throughout their 10 track set and 2 song encore that simply left all wonderfully intoxicated in a free flow of good times that echoed with many raving over and over, "Oh my God! Best concert ever! Ever!"
 Naturally, with such a solidly admired debut album, most simply couldn't contain their near hysteria as soon as the first notes were elicited from their instruments and this fact hit us squarely in the face and chest as they were happily ingested into our ears and held deeply inside as our collective body movement naturally following suit. First blood drawn and deliciously boiled came from a steady coupling pounding of JJ's keys and Babydaddy's Korg as the walking carnival bounce of "Laura" happily began. Instant pandemonium ensued as Jake immediately showed his naturally raw, yet refined charisma and hooked us as the collective frenzy from this welcomed sound and vision occupation was duly eaten up as he jigged about the stage as Ana Matronic and Del Marquis looked throughout the audience in cool approval as Paddy smiled wide cheek to cheek behind his kit. The party kicked into a higher gear and would remain impressively at Everest levels, surely aided by a raucous hungry mix and match of both foreigners and Japanese.
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Following this pure funk cut came another delectable treat shared between Jake and Ana, the reckless abandon of pure elation found in their cover of 1980's "Magnifique." With its pulsating bass line, omnipresent high hat and burlesque disco feel that had Jake going mad on the cowbell, hands throughout the floor went high in the air as smiles beamed universally. Definitely one of the unforeseen highlights of the night, this unlikely a la Broadway romp ruled the roost within UNIT as a frantic pace to its fierce cadence was kept by all. |
No matter what they played, the emphasis was to simply let yourself go and do what you like without any hesitation. And without that nor any direction pressed, all freely got off in their own special way to each and every ditty the Sisters plied. The Chic/Prince-inspired "The Skins" slid along sexily as Ana relentlessly and rhythmically shook her maracas whilst Jake had his tambourine feverishly holding time alongside beautifully. Paddy's rolls and fills and high hat were spot on that undoubtedly made the master of funk and disco drums Tony Thompson high above beam with joy in multiple nods of approval as all inside UNIT were lost in a trance to the delicious beats supplied.
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Going with the flow as these five best know how to do, they seamlessly brought back the funk in full with their oven-fresh "Rock My Spot" cut that had all grooving off each other as Del Marquis squirreled his guitar licks about. Much more than filthy and gorgeous, Scissors got deep inside the psyche of all this night. We all wanted to lose ourselves to them and they happily obliged. Ana Matronic commented early on, "You can always do better ladies and gentlemen." Well, I beg to differ.
- setlist -
Laura / Better Luck / Tits On The Radio / The Skins / Magnifique / Rock My Stop / Mary / Comfortably Numb / Filthy/Gorgeous / Return To Oz
Take Your Mama / Music Is The Victim |
report by michael and photo by keco
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