This is the first US tour of Action Beat, an improvisational noise rock act from Bletchley UK who usually perform with 1-4 drummers and an inordinate amount of guitarists. They began playing together in 2004, and have played over 600 shows throughout Europe. The recently added G.W. Sok as their frontman.
G.W. Sok (born 1957, real name Jos Kleij) is a Dutch singer, best known for his 30 year career as the frontman of the The Ex. G.W. Sok left The Ex in 2008 to focus on a solo career and collaboration projects with other musicians, participation in theatre performances and spoken word performances. Apart from his musical career he's also active as a writer and a graphic designer.
After leaving The Ex, Sok started to collaborate with several acts among which the French experimental free jazz band Cannibales & Vahinés and the Italian band Zu. In 2010 the single "2-2-3 Fridges/Rid" appeared on Sickroom Records. He joined the Dutch collective Beukorkest on their 2011 tour.
In 2011 Sok released the book A Mix of Bricks & Valentines, a 400 page collection of The Ex lyrics and other lyrics he wrote. Also in 2011 De Eeuwige Optie (The Everlasting Option) was published, an experimental film by SpOp featuring Sok as an actor. He also wrote the words for the film's ending track "Illusies". This track was also released as the 7 inch "Illusies 1 & 2" under the bandname Zoikle, consisting of Sok, guitarist Lukas Simonis, cellist Nina Hitz, drummer Cor Hoogerdijk and Maarten van Gent on metal percussion.
Touring with Action Beat is the New York trio, Opening Bell. Veterans of underground rock music, this project finds the members veering towards drone, meditative and electronic music.
Visiting artist Thollem McDonas open the show with the first set of his residency in the solo, electric keyboard configuration. A virtuoso on the piano, Thollem’s music runs the gamut from radical to accessible and is delivered in a variety of idioms- this being one of his most rocking!
Doors at 9 pm; $8.
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