Alfredo Flores, award-winning D.C.-based freelance event photographer

MUSIC NOTES

Gogol Bordello at 930 Club
Friday, Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009

On Tap magazine December 2008

One of the most diverse and strangely theatrical stage performers in music today, Gogol Bordello is a multi-ethnic Gypsy punk band from New York that finds its inspiration from Gypsy music--its core members are immigrants from Eastern Europe, with Ethiopian—and former member of DC reggae band Zedicus--Thomas Gobena on bass and backup vocals. They specialize in socially driven rock music, but are best known for their stage antics—mosh pit diving, jump kicks, and an impressive display of energy. Their latest album, “SUPER TARANTA!” is a sort of gypsy speed metal dub, and ties in perfectly with their mastery of the brutally difficult gypsy two step rhythm (derived from Eastern European ska music) augmented by punk, metal, rap, flamenco, roots, reggae, Italian spaghetti, Western twang, dub, and other rich sounds generated by gypsies and rebels across the globe.--Alfredo Flores.