Into the chasm gaping we

If all you know about the band Bauhaus is either their (uncredited) appearance as the band in the club at the beginning of The Hunger or the song that intro made famous, "Bela Lugosi is Dead", you're missing out on a classic dark treat. Much like their near-contemporaries Joy Division, Bauhaus wasn't really punk, or glam, or straight-up rock 'n roll. While embraced by the goth scene (largely for the aforementioned tribute to Lugosi), they really aren't a goth band - if I were to choose a label, I suppose 'art-punk' would come closest. At any rate, their career was short (1980-1983), but very influential... and they're on a reunion tour, which just kicked off last week in Vancouver, BC. The second night of their tour was this past Friday, here in Seattle - and it was absolutely amazing. Peter Murphy is looking a little long in the tooth perhaps, but they still know how to put on a great show. We were about 20 feet from the stage (you know you're getting old when you always bring earplugs to a concert), and it was a virtuoso performance all around. Oh, and it was a little weird to go to a show and recognize every song... but still, it was an excellent evening. And yes, they closed the 2nd encore with "Bela Lugosi is Dead"; I probably wouldn't have (too expected), but there might have been a riot if the house lights had come on and they hadn't played it. If you're at all a fan, I highly recommend the tour; if you aren't familiar with their work but are intrigued at all, and I'd say get a copy of their album In the Flat Field and give it a listen...

A gut pull drag on me Into the chasm gaping we Mirrors multi-reflecting this Between spunk stained sheet And odourous whim Calmer eye flick shudder within Assist me to walk away from sin Where is the string that Theseus laid Find me out of this labyrinth place Bauhaus - In the Flat Field