pampelmoose Dave Allen of Gang of Four’s Music and Media Blog — music . media . web. culture

All photos ©Nilina Mason-Campbell

After numerous recommendations from friends and bands alike, I finally caught Explode into Colors live on New Year’s Eve at Holocene. While the sound of the trio definitely has some retro tones to it, never has a band seemed so refreshing. Seriously. For weeks and months I’ve been hearing about the group’s 7 inch deal with Kill Rock Stars and further label interest for an album deal. Catching them live totally served to put a visual and audio foundation under those claims. Explode Into Colors are hella fun as evidenced by the frontlines of the audience dancing into oblivion (those standing still were probably standing still in awe as I was), but they also have their shit together. That really can’t be said for most fun bands who are typically a mess; their being a mess also being what makes them fun. As I watched I realized they’ve got it down pat – can play their instruments with precision, inspire the dancefloor with phenomenally catchy stripped-down tunes and all with a sense of eagerness to continue having fun and evolving. 

Klaudia Meza

Sadly I only caught the last three song of their set before the exited around 10 as the DJ tag-teams Linger & Quiet and Hot Mess took over Holocene’s festivities. After a few more jabs at the non-event that was the year 2008 and declaring that 2009 was a year for “feeling fine,” the all-girl trio welcomed a cast of Dekum Manor mainstays onto the stage such as the saxophonist from the Don Hellions and guitarist from Purple Rhinestone Eagle for the final song. A pair of drums were also placed amongst the audience with drumsticks and frontwoman Klaudia Meza shouted out encouragement to congregate at those drums and “beat the shit out to them.” It was audience participation at it’s best, bordering on near tribal and reminded me of TV on the Radio’s habit of passing out percussion instruments during “Dirtywhirl” at shows.

For a while now I’ve been looking for a new band locally that excites me, but also doesn’t seem as though it’s on the verge of a crash and burn (White Fang, Eat Skull anyone?). What a great way to start a new year by finding it in Explode Into Colors.