Gogol Bordello -  Gypsy Music and Perestroika Punk Get Into Bed Together

by Nina Bressler

This Thursday December 14th, hailing from what many people see as the cultural capital of the world, comes New York's GOGOL BORDELLO !!!! Gogol Bordello's formation was the end point of a journey that took front man Eugene Hutz seven years to reach. It was an epic journey that took him from his homeland of Ukraine, displaced by the Chernobyl meltdown, down a long line of refugee camps throughout Eastern Europe, and finally landing him in New York City. It was here that he joined forces with the other members of Gogol Bordello, forming a group of varying global origins with a variety of musical and theatrical talents, and thus..the revolution began.

The cultural revolution army built on Gogol Bordello's vision is one which is taking New York by storm. Inspired by Gogol's stage show, music and antics, many groups in New York have followed suit. Still, Gogol Bordello is an act that can only be defined by itself. Attempts to classify them as an art band, or a world music band, or a folkloric band are always looked upon with disdain by the members, they see themselves as a Gypsy band. Eugene Hutz, Gogol Bordello's front man, is able to sum up their musical drive by saying this, "My inspiration comes from Ukrainian Gypsy culture, but there's a big difference between adapting and assimilating. Gypsy culture adapts to any new found home, but rejects assimilation and never looses its identity. This also goes for Gogol Bordello. We may tell our story in English, but the story remains what it is, that Cultural Revolution is a contagious state of mind."

This Wednesday, in support of their new album 'Gypsy Punks', Gogol brings their madness and riotous energy to the Roxy, supported by US bands The Scotch Greens and Throw Rag . Their on stage pandemonium is enough to make any normal person go into cardiac arrest. So, thin out that blood with some liquor, and let the structured bedlam of Gogol Bordello speak for itself.

Roxy 
Dlouhá 33, Prague 1 - 224 826 296
14.12.05 - Wed./Str.
6.30pm 350kc

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