The double dose of musical and physical energy pumps up the audience, resulting in a symbiosis of kinetics between the band and its fans.

KINKY
House of Blues, Anaheim, 12/20/03

By Désirée I. Guzzetta

If they ever decide to impose a dress code for a Kinky concert, might I suggest a light, loose-fitting sweatsuit? The band's music is muscular beneath the textured layers of sound, so it's no surprise to see the five members are athletic, what with all their jumping and dancing and running around onstage. Even drummer/percussionist Omar Gongora plays standing up. The double dose of musical and physical energy pumps up the audience, resulting in a symbiosis of kinetics between the band and its fans.

Kinky kicked off its set with a ranchera emanating from lead singer Gil Cerezo's turntable stand as the band--which also includes bassist Cesar Pliego, guitarist Carlos Chaires, and keyboardist/programmer Ulises Lozano--took the stage and launched into the quirky "Mirando de Lado" from its self-titled debut album, then segued into material off its wonderful new album, "Atlas."

Anchored by Pliego's lean, mean basslines, Kinky kept the crowd dancing all night. The set was punctuated with bits of DJ humor and sampling, including "Wild Thing" by Tone Loc. Highlights included "Do U Like It?" with its thumping disco beat, and a reworked arrangement of the effervescent "Cornman" which had more of Lozano's bouncy accordion work. Other key moments included the crowd-pleasers "Mas" and "Soun Tha Primer Amor," the latter of which shows off Cerezo's instrumental talents (he plays guitar and trombone in addition to singing and manning the turntables). The live versions of "Presidente" and "Snapshot" were also smoking hot.

Kinky's live show is simple; they don't need to rely on props to get the crowd dancing or the girls throwing their underwear to the guys; in fact, one errant bra eventually wound up decorating Pliego's bass, and he had no problem showing it off to much laughter from the audience.

Throughout the set, Kinky's high energy never flagged; it's obvious from their constant smiles and goofy interplay that they enjoy performing together. This camaraderie rubbed off on the crowd, making for a special, if sweaty, night.

Official Kinky Website

Page last updated: January 14, 2004

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