Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks @ Bowery Ballroom (April 21, 2014)

Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks took over Bowery Ballroom last night in a show that was every bit of what I expected to come from the horror-themed side project of Animal Collective’s Tare. The project also consists of former Dirty Projectors member Angel Deradoorian and Jeremy Hyman of former band Ponytail.

Dustin Wong, also a former Ponytail member, opened the show. If I’m being totally candid with you, Wong may have stolen the show. The man can absolutely play the guitar, and he knows how to loop his sounds to amazing results. He added layer on top of layer of loops, creating something quite majestic. Like a painter continually adding to his canvas, Wong kept the ideas coming until things seemed like they would explode, except they did the opposite: they worked smoothly and effectively. He kept things mostly instrumental, except for those rare moments where he would share some vocals that acted as just another wonderful layer to his puzzle. I left very impressed by Wong, and urge you to check him out the next time he’s in town.

Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks played completely drenched in darkness, aside from the lit up skulls that were set up throughout the stage. Tare manned the vocals as well as the guitar, with Deradoorian behind the synth/keys adding her vocals alongside Tare’s, providing an interesting contrast. Add in the fierce drumming of Hyman, and you got an interesting collaboration, a super-group of sorts.

They played through the various tracks of their debut album Enter The Slasher House while totally engulfed in the darkness, aside from the brief moments they were lit up after moving slightly in front of one of the lights. This was well intended to go along with the somewhat dark and sinister atmosphere of the tracks, where Tare is able to indulges in some of his more primal urges that he may have to put to bay with Animal Collective (only to some extent of course). With Slasher Flicks he’s able to play with new ideas such as the heavy hitting “Strange Colores” and the dance-worthy “Little Fang”, a practical ode to Ariel Pink. It was so easy to get lost in both of these tracks.

As a big fan of Animal Collective, I have an equal appreciation for both Panda Bear and Avey Tare. It’s always good to see them break out a bit into their own when they can, which is exactly what this project allows for Tare. It was fun to see him get lost in this horror-themed world of his, where he can just be himself. He had the entirety of the Bowery Ballroom believing in this as well, screaming along with him and dancing as awkwardly as honestly.

Photos of Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks & Dustin Wong posted below, along with a stream of “Little Fang.”