the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra: Nothing to Fear

Way back in 1975, a local radio station in Cleveland booked Devo to open for Sun Ra as a joke, billing them as a Bad Company cover band. What the audience heard that Halloween night was nothing that they were expecting, nothing they had ever heard before and with no point of reference most of the audience left before Devo had finished their set. Devo, of course, has gone on to have a long career (32 years and counting) and are considered one of the most influential bands in recent history - contributing significantly to new wave, post punk, and electronica as well as being pioneers of modern music video they have been listed as influences on acts as diverse as Henry Rollins, Primus and Nine Inch Nails. But, again, the 1975 audience had no idea what they were seeing. (If all you know is "Whip It" you are missing a significant chapter in your music history.)

I point out all of this because I was reminded of it last night. At a little venue called Mitzi's Sister on Queen West in Toronto, I saw the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra. There were a few friends and fans there to see them, but those who didn't know what they were getting into largely reacted like a 1975 Cleveland audience. The bands sound is not familiar, it is not 'what is expected' (especially in a small, usually folk rock venue).

It's not that Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra is completely alien, they certainly are not. For the last several years a variety of indie/alternative artists have been adding more depth to their music by using non-traditional instruments (at least for this type of music.) the Hidden Cameras, the Arcade Fire, and Do Make Say Think are just a few examples of bands that have added such things as violin, cello, horns, xylophone and accordion to the mix. Also notable is Final Fantasy's Polaris winning "He Poos Clouds" last year. So the direction is definitely there. But Pardale Revolutionary Orchestra has actually done away with the guitar altogether and replaced the usual pop vocals with an operatic soprano.

In their own words:

"Rejecting both the tainted, parasitic resources of high art and the equally insular, anti-intellectual pretentions of mainstream popular music, the Orchestra has adopted a third path: active contribution to a growing rejection of these desperately invalid musical standards."

It has been suggested to me that there is an influence from such people as Phillip Glass and Godspeed You Black Emperor - which is certainly true. But it is an evolution of that school, not merely a member of it. Further potential was revealed in their poetry segment. Toronto poet and hip hop artist danejahras joined the band on stage for a reading which turned out to be the most compelling and original thing I've heard in hip-hop for a very long time.
note: poets who are interested in performing with the band can contact them through their website http://www.parkdalerevolutionaryorchestra.com/poet.html

If you are truly not afraid of experimentation, of new directions or of bands that are willing to try something new rather than follow the crowd I'd strongly encourage you to introduce yourself to the music http://www.parkdalerevolutionaryorchestra.com/ and consider going to one of their upcoming shows at the Tranzac Club.