GOGOL BORDELLO-“Live From Axis Mundi” and FRISKA VILJOR-“For New Beginnings”

The subtitle of this post is: Two stiff drinks that go great together.  If you’ve ever enjoyed a drunken sing-a-long, here are two fine choices for you.

First, Gogol Bordello is probably a familiar name to some of you–they make in-your-face, aggressive and filthy Russian rock.  They’re a nine-member band, so there’s never time to breath.  Songs often feature multiple, simultaneous melodies–a chaotic, whirling dervish of fun and gypsy punk.  Their new album (and DVD package) is a collection of live songs (some but not all from the DVD) and outtakes.  It starts out by grabbing you by the balls and never letting go.  The band is touring with Apostle of Hustle(?!).  Dates below.

Alcohol

Mishto

On the other side of the drunkrock spectrum are Swedish indie rockers Friska Viljor.

The emphasis here is more on pop than punk.  Their third album, “For New Beginnings,” is loud, carousing, feel-good poprock that makes you want to shake, twitch, and shout along.  According to (their own) legend, the band began when pals Daniel and Joakim both broke up with their respective girlfriends and went on a bender.  For several nights.  And on one of those nights, they ended up in a recording studio.   And they vowed to each other that they would never write a sober song again.

From the new one:

I Want You

Older stuff:

Shotgun Sister

We Are Happy Now (La La La)

Gogol Borello 2009 Tour Dates:

10/03 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theater *
10/04 – Saskatoon, SK @ The Odeon *
10/05 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall *
10/07 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Center *
10/09 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre *
10/10 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre *
10/11 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory *
10/12 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory *
10/13 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre *
10/15 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre *
10/18 – Anaheim, CA @ The Grove of Anaheim *
10/20 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre *
10/21 – Tuscon, AZ @ Rialto Theatre *
10/24 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall *
10/28 – Richmond, VA @ The National *
10/30 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse *
10/31 – New Orleans, LA @ Voodoo Experience
12/01 – St. Petersburg, RU @ Glav Club
12/02 – Moscow, RU @ Grand Milk Theatre
12/04 – Kiev, UA @ Balkan Fest
12/05 – Kiev, UA @ TBA
12/08 – Warsaw, PL @ Stodola
12/09 – Krakow, PL @ Rotunda
12/11 – Prague, CZ @ Sporthall
12/12 – Dresden, DE @ Reithalle
12/13 – Erlangen, DE @ E Werk
12/14 – Karlsruhe, DE @ Toolhaus
12/16 – Thessaloniki, GR @ Principal Club
12/17 – Athens, GR @ TBA
12/19 – Tel Aviv, IL @ Hangar 11
12/20 – Tel Aviv, IL @ Barbey Club
* = w/ Apostle of Hustle

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