BO NINGEN // STEREO CAFE BAR, GLASGOW

BO NINGEN PERFORM A INTIMATE SHOW AT GLASGOW’S STEREO CAFE BAR AS PART OF THEIR UK HEADLINE TOUR

View fullsize

BO NINGEN

★★★★☆ [4.5/5]

Bo Ningen are a Japanese four piece playing noise rock anchored by precision krautrock drumming and distorted guitars. They are a difficult band to pin down they due to their mastery of combining of different genres into something unique. However, the influence post punk stalwarts Gang of Four, PiL and krautrock like Can is clear.

They continue their mini UK tour with their second Glasgow gig of 2018 at a crowded Stereo playing old and new songs.

The show begins with Daikaisie Part 1 which has a slow build consisting of staccato guitar riffs which surprisingly verges close to classic rock territory and precision drumming.

This is followed with Nichijyou which scratchy guitar highlights the Gang of Four influence. While it’s throbbing bassline highlights the strong bass work of lead singer and bassist Taigen Kawabe. His impressive bass guitar is a feature of the best songs as the taut and occasionally dubby lines add an irresistible groove to the noisy soundscape Bo Ningen create.

The band continue to impress as the launch in to Soko which illustrates their psychedelic side with a lush melody. This is a highlight of an immensely enjoyable set.

The dreamy nature of the new songs played mid set highlight the versatility as he sings in a higher register adding a level of fragility. They still feature the classic feedback heavy guitars and will be a strong addition the Bo Ningen canon. Everyone here will surely be looking forward to their new release, slated for later this year.

The majority of Bo Ningen songs are sung in Japanese, which makes them very exciting as it allows for different interpretations to their music. For me, the effect of the captivating bombast is conjure up powerful images of togetherness and unity in the face of oppression.

They finish with the forceful Slider, which dark bassline and enthralling blasts of feedback invoke an image of a dystopian nightmare while the surging riff suggests a resistance to the powers that be . They are given rapturous applause by an appreciative audience as they leave stage after their hour long set.

Thought many genes could be applied to Bo Ningen (from metal, post punk, noise rock and psychedelia) their intense and visceral live performance can only really be described as exhilarating.

REVIEW BY: BEN LAMONT