Held Oct. 29-31st 2009 at the elegant Mansion 462 in downtown Chapel Hill, NC the Eccentrik Festival VI “The Mariner’s Revenge”   upheld its six year tradition of hosting a truly underground event “by the scene for the scene”.  Last year, I was only able to attend a single night of this outstanding event, but this year I enjoyed two nights of excellent music, DJ’s, and company.

On Friday Oct. 30th, I arrived on Franklin Street, the main cultural artery of Chapel Hill and nearby UNC, shortly after Mansion 462 opened its doors. As always, the staff of Eccentrik and mansion 462 were friendly and welcoming. As it was sometime before the bands began, I spent some time talking with Emmett and Klaude Davenport, the energetic and eminently capable organizers of Eccentrik.  To my surprise, Brad, the congenial owner of Mansion 462 recognized me, welcoming me back to the establishment.  Wandering through the crowd unwinding a bit after my journey (traffic on I-40 on a Friday night brought back shades of Miami),  Soon the dashing host and MC, Mister Kantrip, officially began the evening’s musical festivities with his own inimitable brand of humor.  The lights dimmed, and The Extraordinary Contraptions took the stage.  I had never seen The Extraordinary Contraptions before, and was truly astonished at the musical mastery and stage present of the band.   Any band with a double bass automatically gets a few points in my book,  but this was a mere premonition to what was soon to transpire.  With Aelus Kristof von Stadberg on guitar, Dimitri von Stadberg on bass, Corbin Able Welch on percussion, and the most lovely Sephora Bostwick on keyboards, The Extraordinary Contraptions performed material from their future classic “Inappropriate On Purpose”, as well as their upcoming CD.   Not only are they musically adept, but they are very friendly.  I must have annoyed the band mightily after their performance, but they took it in good grace and we had several very conversations about the band, and music in general.   Their fashion sense is superb, too. Sort of like the Wild West meets Dr. Who.

Then Lemming Malloy took the stage.  As you may have deduced from my reviews, I consider Lemming Malloy one of the key bands, and perhaps THE key band,  of the talented musical scene centered around the Triangle area.   They are amazingly versatile, and as usual their set was fantastic.   The Two Man gentleman band from NYC was next, straight out of the Roaring Twenties, or at least, how it should have been.  Andy Bean and Fuller “the Councilman” Condon delivered a rousing, rip-roaring performance of demented dixie-land, hot jazz, and a non-stop repartee that was as entertaining as the music.  They are not afraid to veer into the risque, or actually, crash and burn into the risque.   Oh, did I mention they play kazoos?   After the bands finished, I spoke briefly with Unwoman and various others in attendance.  All agreed it was a wonderfully entertaining evening.

I was afraid that the trek to downtown Chapel Hill on Halloween would be rather traumatic with Franklin Street closed to traffic , but this was not the case.  It was a short walk from Carrboro, which was rather pleasant and a nice way to see the Halloween crowds.  I again arrived somewhat early at Mansion 462, and spent some time observed the clientele.  Fashion ranged from the the expected Steampunk attire to elaborate Halloween costumes,and some people were in street clothes.  All mingled freely and there were not visible boundaries, as in so many clubs and events.  I chatted pleasantly with Emmett before she turned her attention to the turntables.  Between the bands, she and her DJ’s kept the crowd moving.  At one point during the night I was thrilled to hear my favorite song by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, “Suits Are Picking Up the Bill”.   The evening began with none other than Roberto Cofresi (of the New Town Drunks), a one Pirate act of pure nautical intensity.  With ballads, sea chanteys, and songs of undetermined origin, Roberto unflinchingly steered the good ship Eccentrik out of port and  into the wild unknown.  Towards the end of his set, I was itching to request “Spanish Ladies” or “Health to the Company”, but I could see he was in dire need of a dram or three after his musical exertions.  There appeared to be a small technical difficulty setting up the stage, but this turned out to be an unexpected blessing.   None other than The Extraordinary Contraptions quickly set up near the front for an impromptu second performance and completely acoustic set!   The lines between audience and band were blurred as they played nearly among the audience, with passersby peering in the door and windows , as Eccentrik-ites wandering freely about.  One of the extraordinary things about The Extraordinary Contraptions is that not only are they most proficient with their instruments of choice, but they are fine vocalists as well.  Aelus, Dimitri, and Sephora all took the lead vocals during the set, as they had done the night before, seamlessly moving through their excellent repertoire.   Sephora’s melodica lent an enchanting, and vaguely nautical air  to the festive set Too soon, the Extraordinary Contraptions, finished.  If the evening had ended right there, it would have been a memorable Halloween.  And yet, there was more to come!

None other than cellist extraordinaire Unwoman was next.  With exquiste vocals and cello backed by occasional electronics, Unwoman gave a mesmerizing performance.  I was very pleased to see, or actually, to hear, that her electronic backings are usually very minimal. They do add depth on some tracks, but are not overpowering.      This is in stark contrast to some other bands who, while they are skillful string musicians, their music ends up being mainly Industrial/Dance with some classical elements thrown in.  Unwoman, on the other hand, showcases her  superb cello and voice.   She played a range of pieces from throughout her career, including her marvelous cover of Chris Isaacs‘ “Wicker Game”; “haunted”; “Survivial“, and the intriguing “Witchwife“.  “Witchwife” is the the poetry of Edna st. Vincent Millay set to music, from Unwoman’s album “Blossoms”.)   Unwoman left the stage all too soon.  Next was Durham’s own “Veronica Diabolique“.  Looking dashingly deathrock, Veronica Diabolique gave a smashing performance that soon had the audience dancing.  With a strong post-punk sound that also incorporates deathrock and gothic elements, Veronica Diabolique fittingly performed The Cure’s “Three Imaginary Boys” in a manner that was much more than a mere cover. They also performed “Breathe” from their 2007 EP “Cafe Solitude”.  Dark, yet energetic at the same time the music of Veronica Diabolique is laced with allusions and references to literature, which I enjoyed immensely.  If the Symbolists had formed a Goth band, they would probably have sounded a bit like this!  The evening concluded with the inimitable Vernian Process, fronted by Josh Pfeiffer, who needs no introduction in these quarters!  Ranging up and down the musical spectrum like aural marauders, Vernian Process gave an exciting, blistering, performance that the audience will not soon forget!  They were  joined on stage by Unwoman, who lent an added sense of grandeur to the  occasion.  Joshua ran amok with his empassioned vocals, while bassist Janus literally leapt among the audience. For a moment, he  actually disappeared.    Ash left the audience Dazed and Confused with his versatile guitar work and bawdy bowmanship.  Vernian Process gave their all, and were visibly exhausted as they left the stage much too soon.

Coming from as far away as South Florida, attendees generally agreed that one of the great things about Eccentrik is the sense of camaraderie.  Apparently the laid back attitude of DJ Mouse, her staff, and her regular patrons, rubs off.   “I’m not really into the Steampunk thing”, admitted one patron, “but everyone is always friendly.”  His girlfriend added that whenever she attended Eccentrik and the Clockwork Ball, people would always speak and be sociable, but sometimes she would see the same people at Goth events in the area, and they would appear not to recognize her.   I did run into a couple of people who seemed to be migrants from the regular club scene.  They were not exactly unfriendly, but did exude a rather frsoty and condescending air that I know well from certain Goth/Industrial clubs. Their offhand comment that they had never been to “anything like this” explained it.  Hopefully they will return, and join us on the…Steamside.

People who assume that a Steampunk themed event will feature little more than  boring  music based on stale Victorian affectations could not be more wrong.  (I seriously wonder if some of  these critics have ever actually attended a Steampunk night.)  The music at Eccentrik was richly varied.  Fans of such diverse genres as Deathrock, Industrial and Classical can find something to enjoy. (See my article on Steampunk and music.)   Eccentrick is  about attitude, not affectations. An attitude is of simply having fun.  Patrons who were dressed to the nines mingled freely with others in their street clothes.  I have seen small Goth shows were the bands played and left immediately, but such was not the case at Eccentrik. The bands were as accessible as the DJ’s, who did not sequester themselves in the DJ booth like some DJ’s,  but spun right alongside the dance floor.  DIY is the order of the day, and no preconceptions or judgements are visible.

Even if nothing else, Eccentrik is a welcome change from the usual club fare.  From Chicago to Miami, it’s easy to find weekly Goth/Industrial nights that play pretty much the same music,down to the BPM.  DJ Mouse and her tireless entourage have  worked very hard to produce an alternative, and a fine one it is.     Everyone enjoyed the music and company at one of the most unique events in the US.  DJ Mouse has deliberately kept Eccentrik at a level that is conducive to the true underground spirit.  I am greatly looking forward to Eccentrik VII.  Hopefully, by then I’ll a decent camera that can capture even more of the fun and excitement that is Eccentrik. After all, you can’t go wrong with Mouse in the House!