Journalism / IMA Robot at the Viper Room (Analysis)
It was a full house at the Viper Room in Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 2 as Alex Ebert, front man of the band Ima Robot, took control of the venue, creating an intense energized sexual aura that filled the room faster than any smoke machine could. The facial expressions and body movements of Alex Ebert’s stage presence made Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger look like amateur front men that still have a long way to go. Ebert performed every song as if he were living them in his own crazy fantasy world, while moving his body as if he were a snake slithering while standing up.
It became apparent as soon as the first song played that the show would turn into a night to remember with ’80s-like pop rock pounding the walls as synthesized keyboards and melodic electric guitars and drums played away.
“Song 1,” Ima Robot’s opening number, created the lasting love-in mood with melodic synthesized keyboards and guitars, eclectic drum beats and deep bass rifts. After a few seconds of that, Ebert came on stage with an eccentric zigzagged mullet, black baggy pants that he kept pulling up periodically, making me think several times that he would eventually flash the crowd. He also came out with an open black coat exposing his bare white chest, showing a white painted flower that cupped the only sign of hair in the center.
Band members Timmy “The Terror” Anderson (guitar), Andy Marlow (guitar and keyboards), Filip Nikolic, AKA “Turbotito (bass) and Scott Devours (drums) danced in their personal spaces as Ebert pranced spastically along the stage, wrapping the microphone around his body like Mr. Lambert from “Silence of the Lambs.” Like other bands, Ima Robot didn’t throw high kicks into the air like mechanical robots as they played their instruments when it came down to the breakdowns or choruses. The group shared a fun and laid back rapport, talking to each other in between songs as if they were just practicing, not performing in front of a live audience.
During the song “Creeps Me Out,” Ebert threw off his coat and, almost as if his body were a shining human magnet to desperate feminine hands, was attacked by front-row females and one male, shooting their hands towards his chest to cop a feel of the sex god or playfully intertwining their fingers with his.
At one point, in a high-pitched, childlike whisper, Ebert told the audience how his lips were chapped and then continued to sing, as if what he said was part of the song. A short moment later, an audience member squeezed some lip balm on the index finger of the flamboyant Ebert, in which he placed directly on his right nipple, where he rubbed it in a teasing way and acted as if it were part of the show. He also acted like it was no big deal when Andy Marlow’s cell phone went off. All he said, or sang rather, was “tuuurn off that phone” and then continued without a stammer.
The concert was like watching a live action musical of sorts. Each song was different in how it was performed. Sometimes it felt like Ebert was having sex on stage or with the microphone cord rather, and at other times, it felt like he was possessed, flinging his arms and hands in every which way. He would switch it up by hiding himself behind the stage curtain like a little kid playing hide and seek, clutching the microphone as he sang each lyric.
The show was entertaining and impressive in how the band held the audiences’ focus without letting the crowd have a chance to check their watches until the set was over. Most of the audience danced throughout, humming or singing the lyrics of each song. Others could be seen bobbing their heads to the music as the constant beat of fast-paced drums beats echoed throughout the Viper Room.
For those who remember Ima Robot back from 2003, they are still that same high-energy band and sport that same look as if they missed the ’80s by two decades. The only difference from their sound from then to now is that it has more of a rocky edge, playing most of their set based off of their newly released second album, Monument to the Masses.
Contrary to some bands that shouldn’t play live for lack of sound quality or talent, the Viper Room made Ima Robot fans freeze in their steps and dance uncontrollably for a constant hour until the set was done. The room’s acoustics were good, and Ima Robot delivered an unforgettable performance worth experiencing many times over.
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Great writing. I can see a future for you as a journalist or public relations writer in almost any field that might capture your interest, but you’ve certainly got the words and the eye for the music scene.
Virtually each sentence shows a professional distance from the action, much like a football or boxing announcer detailing each move on the field or the ring for a radio audience. It’s a very unusual voice to come out of the page. Most journalists don’t it. It’s very unique and, no shit, spellbinding because each sentence drums the action along, increasing the tempo at appropriate moments to a climax then slowing down just enough to create emotional distance for your next forceful revelation.
You obviously have mastered the use of the active verb which contributes beautifully to creating stunning imagery. You’re also very adept at subordinating the minor idea in clauses, as opposed to dishing it all out in simple declarative sentences where each and every event holds comparable weight. That’s very lazy writing and, I’m glad you value your art well enough to skillfully employ this technique. So much more to say, but I don’t want to waste your credits.
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