XBXRX - End Hits, Ottawa, 21/4/2007
by Andrew Carver
published: 15 / 4 / 2007

intro
In the basement of Ottawa record store End Hits, Andrew Carver enjoys vigorous shows from both hyperactive Californians XBXRX and equally energetic local act, Elephantoms
Oakland, California’s XBXRX started off as a noisy, squalling synth rock band centred about a pair of pseudonymous brothers. They don’t have the synthesizers any more (at least not as a live act) but they’ve kept the noise, and the hyperactive stage moves of hardcore punk. The quartet is currently touring behind the recently released ‘Wars’, and their venue for this evening’s show was the basement of punk rock and alternative record store End Hits. The opening band was local act Elephantoms, whose major claim to fame is one of the region’s most chaotic frontmen. The indecipherable howl’n’growl vocals, thrashing music and energetic flailing and flopping was short on comprehensibility but did have a visceral appeal. The small audience seemed to enjoy the show, while staying flattened against the wall for safety’s sake (particularly after some active stage moves toppled one of the PA system’s speakers during the first song). Elephantoms took the stage (okay, the basement floor) in colours to match their latest album’s cover: Yellow shirts decorated with purple duct tape and orange pants. The Touchstone brothers (Vice Cooler and Steve) wielded a pair of much-abused Squier Stratocasters as they tore through their own fractured art punk. While just as noisy and frenetic as Elephantoms’ performance, more song structure peeked through the elemental scree to lend a bit of structure to the catharsis. Like Elephantoms, they put on a physically vigorous show: Steve “crowd surfed” along the show-goers lined up against the wall, while singer-guitarist Vice Cooler jammed his guitar into the unfinished holes dotting the basement ceiling (narrowly missing the gas line at one point). The show ended with the drum set being kicked to pieces and the high hat cymbal being swung overhead.
Picture Gallery:-



reviews |
Wars (2007) |
![]() |
Manic-sounding, first-rate post-punk on second album from Californian-based group XBXRX |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Allan Clarke - Interview
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pulp - More
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart