STRFKR 

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• STRFKR

  “Space monsters, inflatable rafts, and Cindy Lauper,” best epitomizes the STRFKR performance at the Boulder Theatre last Thursday night, which was so off the wall that had the shit got any crazier, the show might have been a freakin’ masterpiece.

  I have attempted to see STRFKR a couple of times in NYC when the band was touring on their last couple of albums, but their shows always sold out before I could grab a ticket. I never got it – STRFKR’s low-fi brand of indie pop is appealing enough, but I always questioned how they attract such large crowds to their concerts, versus similar acts like Bombay Bicycle Club, Hospitality, and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Sure enough, STRFKR sold out the rather spacious Boulder Theatre (which, by the way is the best concert venue I have visited since maybe Webster Hall in Manhattan) packed full of raucous college kids from the nearby University of Colorado.

  STRFKR’s set began low-key, as the band laid out several of the softer moments from their catalogue, such as the opener “Boy Toy” the dreamy sing along “Beach Monster,” and the pop gem “Atlantis.” The shit didn’t really start to hit the fan until about ten songs into the show, when band members started to play a literal round of musical chairs as singer Josh Hodges and drummer Keil Corcoran changed places, and later Corcoran switched up with bass player Shawn Glassford. STRFKR’s set, which ran 26 songs and well over 2 hours, was by far the longest indie pop show I have ever seen. The longer it went, the weirder it got as go-go dancers dressed like astronauts wearing scary Halloween masks took the stage on and off for the last ten or so songs. At one point, the space monsters dragged an inflatable raft onto the stage, one of its members climbed abroad and was promptly jettisoned into the crowd for a trip along the upraised arms of the main-floor crowd.

  So, what about the music? I’ve always loved STRFKR’s rhythm section and its tendency to fit tight guitar riffs and solos amidst its synths and bass grooves. This stuff certainly stood out in the show with the performances of tunes like “Malmo” and “Julius.” Yet the band had no intention of departure after performing a respectable number of their best songs. Rather than tossing it in, at the 20-song mark STRFKR embarked on a 3-song excursion of 80s pop, starting with Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” followed by the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby,” and ending the nostalgic trip with New Order’s “Blue Monday,” During the course of the show, STRFKR unveiled a live version of its new single “Never Ever,” providing a taste of what will hopefully be a new full-length recording from the band soon, and ending with a three song encore, concluding with one of my favorite cuts from the latest album Miracle Mile, “Leave It All Behind.”

  Oh wait! I forgot about opener and electronic artist Com Truise. I never really appreciated live purely electronic sets until I saw Laurel Halo a few years back opening for Chairlift at the aforementioned super-venue Webster Hall. On that evening, Halo skillfully demonstrated how an individual performer leaning over a synthesizer for an hour can create an awesome journey. Focusing on a portly bearded dude embracing a tower of electronic equipment and a laptop is potentially a lot to ask from an easily distracted young audience. However, Seth Haley (who is Com Truise) crafted a tight, at times mesmerizing, performance amongst a bunch of new material (I didn’t recognize anything from his 2011 and 2012 releases).

  Okay, so I get it. A STRFKR show definitely warrants crowds clamoring to indie rock venues everywhere! I hope to get another shot at them once the band releases what is hopefully a rapidly approaching new album.

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  par nathanjbobb

• Amazing! Absolutely amazing! The opening act, Reptilians, to me sounded quite awful. I didn't did their sound at all. And that dancing thing with the long arms reminded me of something from Monty Python's "A fish! A fish!"

  But back to STRFKR! The Beacham Theater was packed! Me and a couple of my friends went, and we headed upstairs towards the VIP section to get the best view. Granted it was way up there, but I managed to record most of the concert on my iPhone.

  The lightening design was on cue, the band was very tight in sound. However I could barely hear the Alan Watts samples that were well placed in the studio album versions of their songs. Note to sound board operators: turn up Alan Watts! The man is a noteworthy philosopher and adds the 'Je ne se qua' to each track. Besides that the astronaut dancers had very good energy and kept the audience pumped up and dancing (as if STRFKR needs any help in that category). I found that the astronaut dancers rowing in the inflatable swan boat rowing (actually crowd surfing and pretended to row) was quite amusing especially making it from one side of the house to the other side was quite the participatory fete! However what brought tears to my eyes (tears of joy and beauty and fond memories) was my favorite song by STRFKR, "Isabella of Castile". After the concert I was bound and determined to meet the group. After being harassed by security to exit the building, I then immediately got my way to see Blake Sexton (the bassist). I relayed what that song meant to me and he quickly signed my new STRFKR prism t-shirt, turned Josh Hodges (the lead singer, keyboardist, songwriter, etc) around with his right arm, had the Sharpie in his hand to hand it off to Josh. Josh took the Sharpie and signed my t-shirt as well. I thanked them both and Blake told me that "Isabella of Castile" wasn't on the play list. It was suggested to them. This made me even more proud to be a true die-hard fan of STRFKR! These guys really love their fans! My recommendation: GO SEE STRFKR WHENEVER AND WHEREVER YOU CAN!! DONT HESITATE! BUY THE TICKETS AND GO! ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY!! I have seen a lot of mainstream bands from Jane's Addiction, Soiuxie and The Banshees, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, Phish, The Grateful Dead, but nothing as energetic, playful, authentic, generous, and downright fun as much as I have seen STRFKR! A MUST SEE BAND! And a good time had by all!!

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  par jonathan-d-carroll

• I've paid to see Starfucker. I've seen Starfucker live. I've seen them in as intimate a venue as a college quad and I've seen them in as huge a venue as FYF. The thing each other their performances have in common is that they put on a mind-blowing show every single time.

  Their energy and their sound have been the highest of qualities and every time I see them is a completely new experience. You never know what's going to happen at a Starfucker show. Will they throw garbage bags full of balloons at the crowd? Will confetti fly out of cannons while men in green spandex dance on stage? Will men in human-sized animal costumes come out and simulate fellatio on said green spandex men? Will a spaceman suddenly stage dive and crowd surf while Starfucker covers "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?" YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!

  Another thing every Starfucker show has in common: You're going to get sweaty. You jump, you dance, you move, and suddenly no one looks like a stranger anymore. Everyone's one and the same; a gear in the machine that is the crowd. Everyone's there for the same reason and that reason is to watch Starfucker put on a show. Their music goes from dance-your-ass-off tunes to more melancholy sounds that you can "chill" to.

  If you want catchy electo-riffs and amazing visuals in your music and live performances, Starfucker is definitely a band you should check out. The five best nights of my life have all been nights I've spent in the Starfucker dance pit.

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  par angelisalinas

• Sound was decent god job to the sound engineer...

  How ever first bands sound was horrible there act was half ass I saw them in Dallas along with strfkr

  So I'm comparing...

  These two bands this time truly disappointed me...

  I'm an ex vet met josh in Dallas told him my story while I was in Iraq his music really left me with wonderful memories back home.

  He signed my Florida drivers license along with a few other band members

  How ever this time around josh seemed pissed off

  Energy was very very low on stage

  Sound was off meaning many elements missing

  Still one of my favorite bands of all time

  The energy felt very dark in addition they played a much shorter set. I don't care if they played the next day

  You don't half ass a show to your fans ever!

  If I were to half ass in my job people would die!

  If josh isn't happy playing anymore then stop playing do your own solo project

  Any way show was not well on sound nor the performance

  Was wanting to buy the new record and a tank top also and of course didn't have enough

  They came unprepared I feel

  Dallas was a great show

  Austin was horrible energy and sound

  Thanks

  Christopher

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  par christopher-schmit-2

• From start to finish at a STRFKR concert, you should expect not to stand still. STRFKR are a band that truly let their music do the talking, as the bands interaction with crowd takes is less verbal than it is physical. It is not unusual to see band members, particularly bass player Shawn Glassford, crowd surfing towards the end of the set, all the while still playing his instrument.

  Beyond the music, the lights are a show in and of themselves. A LED wall takes pride of place behind the drum kit and intervals between songs fall into complete darkness, until the beat drops and the venue is shot into illumination. Usually a set-opener, the infectious beat of ‘Hard Smart Beta’ has the crowd fist-pumping and jumping from the get go and sparks an energy that does not drop even after the band leaves the stage, with audience members dancing their way out of the door.

  I must say that a highlight for me at every STRFKR gig I have attended is the cover of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’. A classic in it’s own right, this dance cover version brings the house down each and every time.

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  par lhulbert1

• Me and my friends love STRFKR and we were so pumped when we found out they were coming. We got that notification months in advance and considering the convenience fees and that STRFKR wasn't extremely well known we figured we could buy tickets at the door and save a couple bucks but one of my friends bought them online. Day of the concert comes around, we get out of school super fucking pumped, we leave with about an hour before the doors open and get there with a half an hour to spare. Only to discover that they are already sold out. My friend doesn't want to go in by himself (I would have bought his ticket if I hadn't driven). Do no one gets to go. I've experienced post concert blues but it is nothing compared to no concert blues. The walk back to the car was depressing as hell and I realized that concert was the light in my life. I see no light now, only darkness, and the snapchat stories of those who bought tickets in advance.

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  par masonfeurer

• STRFKR brings a whole new vibe to the music scene when related to most any band you see. They are the definition of the modern age with their electronic riffs layered to Guitars and Bass, and melded with a high vocal melody that's fun to sing along to regardless of knowing the words. Have you ever imagined Blow-Up dolls bouncing around in the audience while seeing a show? STRFKR creates a surreal environment almost set up like a theatre play to space age music with their two performers, dressing up in crazy concoctions every other song. Anywhere from seeing an Astronaut and Alien kiss on stage to Pro Wrestlers Boxing out, and Dancing Pandas throwing out male blow-up dolls to the audience members, you never know what to expect! Even for someone to dislike the music, the interactivity with the audience was something to be shared and cherished by anyone to have a good time. A must see whacky band!

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  par RestlessBloom

• As soon as I heard STRFKR was coming to Tucson, I immediately bought a ticket. I love this band, but at first I was a little skeptical because it was just a mini-tour and I had no idea how they'd be live. Their opening act, Shy Boys, had a Fleet Foxes kinda sound at first, but also a little lo-fi, surf rock feeling to their music that I was really into, and so was the rest of the crowd. I had never seen a crowd get so excited about an opening act before. When STRFKR came on stage, their light set-up was amazing. There were several different kinds and sizes of lights and special effects, and they sounded so perfect live. Just like their albums, if not better. The crowd went crazy for them and it was one of the more fun concerts I've ever been to. If you take anything away from this review, if you like STRFKR, see them live!

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  par FaLoN_147

• How to sum up the STRFKR show last night.... Sensation overload, in every best way possible! Crowd surfing astronauts, aliens, an astronaut crowd surfing on a giant giant swan, the constant instrument change ups the members, the glorious 80's covers they did, the crazy lights and VFX, and lets not to mention the music! They played for 2hrs and still gave us an encore. Not just 1 song either, a multiple song encore. Amazing band to see. If you're a fan of any of their music they won't disappointed. As expected they sound better live as apposed to album. If any of these things sound fun and memorable, or if you're a fan of Starfucker; GO!!! Don't miss an opportunity to see one of the best shows you'll have the opportunity to catch... Go see STRFKR!

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  par jonlabelle

• Saw STRFKR at Turner Hall in MKE. Such a great venue for this show. Did not show up in time to see the opener, which based on other reviews, it sounds like we didn't really miss out on much. The show started slow, but it picks up right in the middle as an Astronaut-Bunny-Gandolf-Superhero popped out on stage! Soon after the Astronaut-Bunny-Gandolf-Superhero was joined by his fellow astronauts for a love session in the corner of the stage. This was followed by more astronauts, including one of which was donning a long blonde wig and carrying an enormous inflatable swan, which he then proceeded to use for crowd surfing.

  All together the show was pretty killer and the gear they have for sale is super dope.

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  par bbruun7