How can we live without artistic bliss? Performance artists are a breed of individuals quite often misunderstood and outcast in society. The flip side of this is that they are able to bring that bliss to enhance the cultural energy and vibe, which pop-culture misses out on.
Most people seek material wealth, have a need to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, or may gain this bliss by going wild at a sports event. After considering these options I know it is Performance Art that truly blows me away.
A particular band that stems from NSW has been able to express this wild blissfulness through their Gypsy Punk Cabaret and Pirate Blues Mayhem. Duke Baritone and The Swamp Dogs is that band. They comprise of six members and a dozen instruments. A lead man, whose theatrical visual nature, deep, deep voice, adds to the high energy jovialness of their show. They explode with the captive merriness that allows them to entertain raving fans, with their outrageous live performances.
Duke Baritone appear on the brink of destruction but at the same time are able to pound out a unique brand of old world, swampy, cabaret industrial punk blues that just enthralls audience goers at major events creating evermore wild fans with each performance. Occasionally though, these shows are just all too much and leave some audience viewers to walk out in disgust.
This kind of reaction from viewers is what it takes to be a Performance Artist. There have been large volumes of literature and reviews that reflect this kind of phenomenon. It is the kind of experience that can be so surreal that it is mystifying to believe that large amounts of the contemporary society are unaware of its existence or are just unable to come to terms with it. However, there is time to intellectualize about this kind of Performance Art and there is time to experience it by being present at a live show. In the end it is quite different for each individual who dares to engage with it.
Some of the influences that Duke Baritone stems from are: Danny Elfman, Tom Waits, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Nick Cave, Louis Prima, Mr Bungle, Tim Burton, Frank Zappa, Elvis Costello among others. These artists have aided Duke Baritone to blend grunge with blues, along with lyrics that have such a real message. Most often these lyrics express a naughty and sometimes crude side of just how wild life can get.
If you’re in London on the 12/07/2009 be sure to catch them at Tommy Flynns in Camden Town at 7pm. Or you can catch them on the 12/07/2009 at the Dublin Castle in Camden Town at 8pm. They will continue to tour through some parts of Europe before returning to Australia in about early September 2009.
More information about dates and venues can be found at:
http://www.myspace.com/jukebaritone
Written by Frank Barresi
theonewhodoesnotexist@gmail.com
www.theonewhodoesnotexist.blogspot.com
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