Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Brad Worsham
February 21st 2015, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles-based Tartar Control is a hardcore punk band like no other. Comprising the duo of Robert Selander on vocals, Sean Hart on guitar, and a robot playing bass and drums, Tartar Control have gained a reputation for off-the-chain live performances in the past few years, playing prolifically in Los Angeles and Orange County, winning new fans one gig at a time. In the meanwhile, they’ve also released excellent studio material with catchy music and hilarious lyrics such as that on the 2011 effort ‘Holy Crap!’, but on stage is where they liberate themselves and truly bring these songs to life, as they present them through a unique live act. Having heard a lot of great things about Tartar Control from local friends that had witnessed them live, I decided to check them out at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood last Saturday February 21 2015, as they opened for The Dickies and The Muffs, and completely owned the stage.
Dressed as Mormons, Robert and Sean appeared on stage promptly at 8:45, along with their robot. What ensued for the next thirty minutes was pure unabated insanity, as Robert ran wild all over the stage and everywhere on the general admission floor, instantly making an indelible impact on the audience and a connection that well and truly lasted throughout the set. Amidst the several songs they played, they indulged in some very well-timed stand-up comedy which had the crowd in splits, and every joke or one-liner certainly enhanced the power of the song that followed it. The music was filled to the brim with a fun vibe but yet at the same time was fierce and intense, capturing the very essence of hardcore punk. A few in attendance were already familiar with Tartar Control, but the majority weren’t, and the band still succeeded in winning over the entire gathering with their incredible levels of energy and interaction. Robert had everyone in his grasp, making them sit down on the floor, dance and mosh at will, and returning the favor by hugging every single person as soon as the set was done with.
Although Tartar Control’s on-stage approach is intelligent and clearly well thought-out, it didn’t come across as rehearsed, and one would imagine it being different at every gig depending on the size and shape of the stage, the venue and the crowd. The band seems to possess the ability to adapt to any and every kind of environment, and I’ll very much look forward to exploring that for myself as I see them perform in different settings in future.
Tartar Control is my new favorite punk band, and is one of the weirdest, most fun and insane bands you will get to see.
Check out a full gallery of 37 amazing photos by Brad Worsham in the slideshow below. To access their downloadable versions and/or to view them on a non-Flash device, click here:
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