Big Black Delta at the Satellite

As a long time fan of Mellowdrone (circa 2006), it was intriguing to hear that lead singer and bassist Jonathan Bates had struck out on his own forming the dark synthesizer tinged Big Black Delta. The fact that this was the kick off of their free Monday night residency in September and had Sonoio on the bill made this a can't miss show.

Sonoio




Surrounded by an outline of light bulbs and armed with a drool worthy Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer, Alessandro Cortini of Sonoio challenged the Satellite soundsystem with crushing synthesizer bass lines and electronically sliced programmed drum beats as he raffled off songs from his outstanding new album Red.

It was evident that Alessandro was prepared for his upcoming opening slot for the Ladytron tour. His whole set was outstanding but some of the highlights were the pulsating beat of "Scientist", the vocoder effects of "Livid", and the flickering lights in rhythm of the roaring synthesizers of "Enough". Don't miss the opportunity to see Sonoio on 9/24 at the Wiltern opening for Ladytron.


Tennis System




Two Fender Jaguar guitars created a vortex of churning sound that mimicked such bands as A Place To Bury Strangers and My Bloody Valentine. Tennis System filled in the guitar quotient of the evening with their deafening twin assault. While the vocals gasped for air as if you were drowning in a pool, the combination of drums, bass and guitars overwhelmed everyone in the room. Tennis System are touring behind their latest album Teenagers and are making a run on the East Coast before returning to Los Angeles for Filter's Culture Collide Festival on October 5th.


Big Black Delta





While two female drummers were positioned on separate corners of the stage between a bass amp and a panel of LCD lights, Jonathan Bates was the center of attention. The bludgeoning electronic blasts of dark wave synthesizers culled from the era of Depeche Mode circa "Black Celebration" were hypnotic as they were synced with the flashing lights of the LCD panel.

Released on the outstanding local label Coming Home Records, Big Black Delta's debut album will be available on September 26th. Bates's ability to program synthesizers and electronic drums is impressive and was on display throughout the evening. "Capsize" washes over you with its synthesizers and Bates's processed vocals.

His cover of INXS "Never Tear Us Apart" was outstanding with an smashed 8-bit breakdown that could jumpstart your broken heart. Saving his best song for last, "Huggin' and Kissin'" was phenonmenal with its jackhammer repetitive driving beats and some of the best vocals that Bates has recorded. I can't endorse this residency enough and plan to see them again on September 26th at the Satellite.