Reviewed by
Kyle Godbey
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ADD N To X
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Bowery Ballroom
Last Edit/Update
13 March, 2000
Atari Teenage Riot and Add N to X
July 19th 1999 Bowery Ballroom, NYC
I've been to many a show at the Bowery Ballroom and never once been disappointed. A great venue and always an amazing set up when they put a decent show together. Unfortunately, they don't introduce bands that DO need introduction. The opener to this moderately packed sold out show was absolutely amazing. I don't however have any idea what there name was. Bronx someone I believe. I really wish I knew the name because I would send everyone out to see them. They reminded me of a sort of rastafarian warp band. Two guys with some effects and some samplers rolling out very very chill beats and soothing textures. Entrancing and noisy all together.
Add N to X
Anyone that has heard Add N to X knows exactly what I'm going to write now. Unfortunately I was not familiar with this quartet before the show. The stage sat adorned with quite a few moogs, a drum set, theramin, some huge box of knobs, a weird zither looking synth, and a few racks full of filters and processors. As well as not knowing the material, I don't know the set list, but I didn't enjoy myself any less. Analog noise every which way, most of which seemed improved by the looks of everyone nodding and motioning to each other. I saw and heard things in their hour long barrage I'd never heard or seen before. I never knew they made big boxes with sliders that big that made sound do the things it did. And in the meantime, I danced my ass off.
Atari Teenage Riot
Setlist (not in an accurate order): Digital Hardcore Revolution Action Atari Teenage Riot Start the Riot Into the Death No Remorse Western Decay Your Uniform (does not impress me) Ghost Chase To Dead for me Speed Deuchland has Gotta Die Heatwave No success Sick to Death Destroy 2000 Years of Culture The Future of War Not your Business.
And if anyone has ever been to an ATR show... you know. I've caught ATR on every headlining show they've come to NYC with and have called it the greatest show I've ever been to each and every time. Once again, and amazing show I'd put above all other shows I've seen. I don't know how long I was in the ATR pits or even what time I left the ballroom. I remember collapsing soon after the earth in front of the stage was obliterated though. For days after I remember limping and and breathing funny after pulling my diaphragm from yelling and thrashing wildly about with a few hundred other rioting fans. This time we had guests unlike the other times I'd seen them. D-Stroy from the Arsonists and Kathleen Hanna of Add N to X came out for No Success. If only Slayer had popped their heads out for No Remorse, but they pulled it off amazing like. There's not much more I can say. If you've never seen ATR you're lacking. There's an element in their music that could never be etched into any vinyl or CD. The live experience is an insensitivity I fail to find anywhere else.
