Welcome to the fabulous (and sticky) world of Gogol Bordello
“What’s to like in shirtless, ugly, hairy and sweaty guys jumping up and down?” a woman complained to another during a Gogol Bordello gig last November in Rio de Janeiro. She was probably not alone in finding them ugly, but most of the audience seemed pretty delighted. In fact, it is quite refreshing to see musicians take up the stage without make up, specially designed frocks and well defined bodies.
The Rio gig wasn´t exactly fortuitous – the band has been out and about quite often since its frontman, Eugene Hütz, moved there 2 years ago. Hütz, a Soviet refugee from the Ukraine who lived in several countries until arriving in New York in 1988, is the heart and soul of a truly multicultural band of gypsies that includes a Russian violinist, a Israeli guitarist, Ethiopian bassist and so on. Their songs are a exotic mix of punk, ska, polka, samba, salsa and reggae that, together with Gogol Bordello’s captivating stage presence, has turned the band into a very hot global act. Sweaty they may be, but in their gigs chances are that you will be too sticky to notice it.
Gogol Bordello`s new album, Trans-Continental Hustle, will be released on April 27.
Pre-order the album on Play.com.
They will play six UK gigs in May – London Hammersmith Apollo on May 7, Manchester on May 8, Glasgow on May 9, Norwich on May 10 and Birmingham on May 11.