Deerhunter On Dresses
Great interview with Deerhunter's Bradford Cox over at P4K today. The band's breakthrough Cryptograms felt uneven to us ... until we saw 'em at SXSW, at which point Bradford's amp-perched shrieking-gargoyle routine had us floored. (Best set of the fest, next to lovebirds Bill Callahan + Joanna Newsom.) Could also have been the set length, forcing Deerhunter to edit out some of the Cryptograms slack. And that makes more sense after reading about Cox's album-oriented songwriting approach, which means: what he writes for the album, makes the album. ("...it's like you're separating the puppies. You feel bad.")
As for attire, we had Brad in a self-aware Bad To The Bone tee in Austin, though sadly we didn't get the oft-mentioned dress. He explained:
I always wanted to do stuff like this ... I used to wear dresses when I was a little kid. My mom used to always dress me up in dresses, let me play house and stuff. She was never very selective in gender roles; if I wanted a Barbie doll, I could have a Barbie doll, and a G.I. Joe. And I just think it's funny, also. I went to go see my sister, and she's been Googling us and stuff, and seeing all these images and shit. And she's like, "what's with the dress, dude?" And I'm like, "I don't know, what was with the dress when you guys were dressing me up in dresses when I was a little kid?" My sister's friends would sleep over and they would doll me up and put makeup on me and shit. I'm not doing it in any way to be shocking. I just think it's kind of cute. I just like it. I don't like the idea of going around stage in just jeans and a t-shirt. It seems anticlimactic.Also, P4K asks if there are "any elements of your onstage personality that comes through when you're off stage?" To which Bradley replies, "Well, I can say things and go places onstage that, if I went there off stage, people might be a little freaked out. Especially in terms of sexuality."
Really what he's saying is, "If you wanna ask me about how I got a blowjob onstage at the Silent Barn in Brooklyn last month, just come out and do it."
[Pic via Impose]
Like Cox said, just wearing jeans and a t-shirt on stage seems "anticlimactic." Obviously, he has less difficulty getting climactic onstage while in a dress.
Posted at 7:00 PM
Tags: Deerhunter
That picture is brilliant! the slight delay from the shutter that has allowed for the small motion blur of his head (no pun intended) is fabulous! More stage-head. Cryptograms is one of this years only truly innovative and interesting releases.
Posted by: d at May 15, 2007 7:47 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I don't think Cryprograms is patchy at all.. the split in style between the noise\ambient type songs and the garagey rock type songs throws you off the first few times you listen to it but now I'm used to it I actually think it flows really well and I wouldn't drop any parts of it.. both sides of the music kind of complement the other.
Posted by: Richie at May 15, 2007 8:12 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I'm sorry, but did that dude actually get a blow-job on stage during a show? I'm no prude, but seriously, that's just not right. I'm there to hear your music, not watch you get head.
Posted by: Steve at May 15, 2007 8:34 PM | ReplyScore = 0
It's not just a show, it's a spectacle! That's so fucking kickass!
Posted by: Tom at May 15, 2007 8:38 PM | ReplyScore = 0
thats quite disgusting. Ive seen them 3 times (all bloody good shoes too) and none of them had dresses on.
Posted by: Jumpology at May 15, 2007 9:10 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Jeez, couldn't you have put that photo after a jump with a warning?
"Obviously, he has less difficulty getting climactic onstage while in a dress."
In a comment on a Brooklyn Vegan item, the commenter claimed to have been at that show and reported that Cox later complained offstage that he didn't get to cum.
Posted by: Jenna Jameson at May 15, 2007 9:37 PM | ReplyScore = 0
that dude is alarmingly skinny. shouldn't we get him to rehab of some variety?
Posted by: dan b at May 15, 2007 10:17 PM | ReplyScore = 0
It's not drugs, he has a genetic condition (Marfan's syndrome, I think) that makes it difficult for him to gain weight.. his apparent minor facination with cumming all the time is a little disturbing alright.
Posted by: Richie at May 15, 2007 10:40 PM | ReplyScore = 0
is that a dude or a chick given him that bj?
Posted by: alvysinger at May 15, 2007 10:49 PM | ReplyScore = 0
"White ink"
Posted by: d at May 15, 2007 10:50 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Is he truly getting a blowjob at this show?
Posted by: matt P at May 15, 2007 11:08 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Seriously, is that a girl or a guy "inside" his dress? It looks like a dude and I'm not gonna lie......it's kinda freaking me out.
Posted by: gs at May 15, 2007 11:21 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Don't ask, don't tell my friend.
Posted by: Steve at May 16, 2007 12:28 AM | ReplyScore = 0
its the guitar player (he is male)
Posted by: Neil at May 16, 2007 12:47 AM | ReplyScore = 0
It's a guy (another member of the band)... not that there's anything wrong with that, right, gs?
Posted by: Jerry Seinfeld at May 16, 2007 12:54 AM | ReplyScore = 0
I'm thinking it's definitely a dude. Bradford has said in past interviews that he's gay, but celibate, or something like that. Judging from this photo...gay yes. Celibate...?
Posted by: Liam at May 16, 2007 12:59 AM | ReplyScore = 0
"d" You're right, and the intro to white ink could be the sound of him getting a blowjob. They put everything into their music, heart and sould guys. I know that this fact is true because I've heard so many blowjobs (being done to me that is....fags.)
Posted by: Spalding Flertch at May 16, 2007 1:04 AM | ReplyScore = 0
seriously though, to get a bj on stage is just wrong. that's the last thing i want to see at a concert. revolting.
Posted by: alvysinger at May 16, 2007 1:49 AM | ReplyScore = 0
this guy looks gay-- not listening to his music.
Posted by: chase at May 16, 2007 3:02 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Yeah, that pride tattoo on his arm does give his sexuality away just a little bit. (I'm not 100% sure because I can't see the colors, but it is an inverted triangle, and the fact that it's a dude sucking him off, well, you do the math.) I don't see what the big deal is; isn't that why people become musicians in the first place?
Posted by: Annon at May 16, 2007 3:41 AM | ReplyScore = 0
i was at this show, standing to the left of this bit of action. couldn't really tell if the bj was straight up for real or just quite real looking. either way it added to the sweaty and grime-caked performance. one of the best shows i've ever seen.
Posted by: dk at May 16, 2007 4:52 AM | ReplyScore = 0
alvysinger, its better to get a blow job than to just see it! that said, haha i don't think its real ;)
deerhunter rules. i hope the best is yet to come.
if being gay means making great music, then sign me up
Posted by: su at May 16, 2007 10:14 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Couple more photos of the Deerhunter/beejay incident here: http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/music/archives/2007/05/deerhunter_blow.php
Posted by: doodlepickle at May 16, 2007 10:30 AM | ReplyScore = 0
i really can't help adding a couple pictures of why the janet jackson tit shot of indie rock was a fraud...
this is so fun!
(check the end of the post now)
http://www.imposemagazine.com/mag/?p=501
Posted by: jeremy at May 16, 2007 11:15 AM | ReplyScore = 0
sexy.
Posted by: la at May 16, 2007 11:34 AM | ReplyScore = 0
though I know I can't speak for everyone, it didn't seem to me like anyone that was actually there cared about the blowjob, so you people shouldn't get offended either. it was a crazy, drunken, sweaty night and the deerhunter performance pushed it over the top. dirty projectors and awesome color played great sets too. definitely the best show experience I've had in a while.
Posted by: d at May 16, 2007 12:17 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Thiis is a sorry excuse for music, SO overrated.
Posted by: 226 at May 16, 2007 12:22 PM | ReplyScore = 0
he's right guys, with bands like the hold steady out there being much more innovative and interesting....oh wait....
how, on any level, is this band overrated?
Posted by: ccc at May 16, 2007 1:35 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I love the dress, the pic and the antics. It's fantastic.
Posted by: Chris at May 16, 2007 2:35 PM | ReplyScore = 0
**red ink**
Posted by: twoism at May 16, 2007 2:41 PM | ReplyScore = 0
i agree with 226. i dont understand how a band like this receives any acclaim.
Posted by: lk at May 16, 2007 5:36 PM | ReplyScore = 0
d-- you sound just as gay. and i don't mean that in a "not that there's anything wrong with that" sorta way either.
Posted by: chase at May 18, 2007 1:07 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Chase, not that it really needs saying, but if that's your basis for deciding which music you will and won't give a chance to.......................... you're a prick!! :-)
Posted by: Richie at May 19, 2007 1:05 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Posted by: MF McNutt at May 23, 2007 3:21 PM | Reply226 should pull that big dick out of his mouth and actually listen to the music. Cryptograms and Flourescent Grey are excellent releases and blowjob or not they are pretty fantastic live -
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