Sushi Robot

IMG_5254.JPGMessage from Sushi Robot about CD 4 Launch Party A:

I was a bit unsure about the gig at first. With Synth-C away, playing on my own, the only electronic outfit and being on last I wasn’t sure how it would go down. The crowd stuck around though and it was good to pick up some new fans. Lots of people there that I hadn’t met before.

My set went down well and it was good to see people dancing and having a great time. It was a top night and all the bands did a fantastic job. Cheers to everyone who came out to support the Hong Kong music scene. Keep going to gigs, not just in Central but all over Hong Kong. Cheers to Chris for organising it. Massive thanks to Big Koya for sorting the recording. I know you didn’t do the SUSHI stuff, but you were on our minds when we were mixing them, with quite a few cans of Ebisu beer and a couple of red bandanas on our heads.

– Griff (Sushi Robot)

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Live Review from Underground electronica:

Setlist:

  • 1. Heavy Artillery
  • 2. Pierce
  • 3. Volcania
  • 4. Comprendo
  • 5. Box Bass
  • 6. Analogic
  • 7. Synthpop
  • 8. Mosh Odessa
  • 9. Looking in the Face of Danger
  • 10. Push Me
  • 11. Blob

(*Continuous set)

Sushi Robot seemed to have been just what the crowd was waiting for, judging by how much the crowd seemed to have enjoyed their set. They were probably the most ‘live’ act on that night, because even though they were just two guys behind their laptops (and other assorted stuff), they were every bit as mobile and active as anyone in the crowd – basically, very watchable, even aside from their awesome visuals of their band logo in cool ways, and other images of robots and other mechanical paraphernalia. Heavy Artillery was a commanding way to start, with the rapid dancey beats of 80s pop songs. Their set was a testament to how much electronic music owes to the 4/4 beat, as most songs were based clearly on this most basic of rhythms. This soon changed into this really ominous bassline, that outlined the stark, Asimov-esque soundscape, with the rigid clinical beat patterns of Kraftwerk’s latter career.

Most of their songs were really up-tempo, but they threw in some phases of more relaxed tunes, with soothing, looping basslines, at one point even having a likably familiar cheesy melody. This was, of course, momentary, as it was soon followed by more violent, pendulumic swings in the beat. Their last song had kinda Mario-like sounds, but with the same synth-ey foundations. The visuals by this point had grown to encompass kaleidoscope-y pictures of faces, and glaring fluorescent pictures, so the set ended in a completely different visual territory. From what I could tell, these guys are consummate experts at what they do, because despite having the proverbial cold machine at their disposal, the songs all retained an appealingly familiar feel that can only be created by knowing your craft, and their set melded together so well that you didn’t realise where your half hour had gone. The ending of their set was promptly followed by (guess what) more smoke, and even some shouts of “show me your underwear!” from the crowd; the mark of a show that has truly been, to use a technical term, “torn up”.

– Shashwati

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Live Review from Prins Nitram in Hong Kong:

I am half drunk as I walk in Rockschool. Things just happen to start on time, so I make myself comfortable on a couch, listening to Griff and Claudio starting with a 4/4 groove, which penetrates from the stage to the loo, where I have been in for a while. They perform with interesting videotage – visuals flipping about and definitely catching my attention. I walked closer to see Griff’s setup. What’s on is Ableton on Macbook Pro with a compatible controller, and my favourite Edirol EA-101 acting as a monitor and master output for the sounds he makes. Simple yet all-round setup which all electronica apprentices should consider acquiring. I love the way Claudio counts in, with something like a trademark hand gesture of all electronica/DJ people like ST, my good friend. A non-stop set, to me, is mesmerising. I imagine myself soaking in such a comfortable vibe in a chilling lounge. I suppose the girls in the venue feel the same too, since I saw some of them start to close their eyes and twist with their hands waving about.

Erik Piece

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Live Review from Underground 77:

Although Sushi Robot was making its debut at Underground 77, the members of this electronica duo were certainly no strangers to the show, consisting of 2 members from Violent Jokes, another local drum and bass outfit. The set kicked off with an excerpt from what must have been (I’m guessing here) a John Barry composition, a pleasant way to cajole the audience back from the UNiXX inspired reverie, then shifted gear into some serious trance inducing drum and bass sound. Shadow, the lead singer from Violent Jokes, came on stage to do an impromptu improvised performance, followed shortly by the official guest MC, Cain, the lead singer of F.B.I. , making what must have been his debut as an D n B MC. A fitting end to a varied Underground show.

Br’er

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