//Tense// Live at EchoPlex in Los Angeles, CA 11/09/2010

//Tense// held the touring position equivalent of a two edged sword. An unknown band getting to tour with legendary Industrial EBM giants, Nitzer Ebb.

On the one side of the blade, you are getting unbelievable exposure to a legion of dedicated electro, EBM, dance fanatics.

On the other side of that same sword, are the super critical, impatient fanatical followers of a band that has been around potentially longer than either members in the opening band have been alive.

When I first heard about the show, I investigated the opening acts and found out that //Tense// is from Texas and are touring the entire North American leg of the gambit. I was surprised at how under played this tour was in the local information circuits.

I had only found out that Nitzer Ebb was touring at all four days before but word of mouth had it that Santa Ana was the closest date.

Just two days before the show, fliers and posters began to show up at some of the other Industrial EBM events in Los Angeles. I was super excited to see Nitzer Ebb, having listened to them since around '87, and if they picked someone to tour with them, I would give them a try.

Upon listening to tracks on the //Tense// myspace page, my first impression was that it reminded me of old school Plastic Noise Experience. Their live show deviates from that comparison in several ways.

The first being that they lay down several loops, some vocal, some synth, processed in an old fashioned way (but this can have very cool effects when used like this). The second is the addition of a quite hot woman handling percussion. This in itself lent quite a bit of presence to the stage persona and they also proved to be quite competent at producing what has now become old school industrial electronic music.

Their songs are predominantly minimalistic electronic fair. Steady, dancable beats combined with interesting loops of processed sound bytes or synth hooks reminiscent of the old analog days. The vocals were accessible and not heavily distorted.

Overall, I think they are a decent band and put on a good show. As I said it is a tough time slot to get taken seriously in, even if you are good. Most of the audience, while attentive and responsive, were preparing themselves - either mentally or by downing alcohol excitedly for the next band.

I am glad for a band of this nature to get this opportunity. It is really interesting the whole demeanor of this tour for Nitzer Ebb. When I saw them 15 years ago, they made a huge affair in terms of venue and concert trappings, but this tour is almost a grass roots type small stage affair which lent itself quite well to a more intimate showing of personal music icons of mine.

This also proved to be a good showcase for an interesting band like //Tense// that is obviously making a name for itself and having a good size crowd to indoctrinate to their sound.




				//Tense// Live at The EchoPlex in Los Angeles, CA November 9th, 2010 //Tense// held the touring position equivalent of a two edged sword. An unknown band getting to tour with legendary Industrial EBM giants, Nitzer Ebb. On the one side of the blade, you are getting unbelievable exposure to a legion of dedicated electro, EBM, dance fanatics. On the other side of that same sword, are the super critical, impatient fanatical followers of a band that has been around potentially longer than either members in the opening band have been alive. When I first heard about the show, I investigated the opening acts and found out that //Tense// is from Texas and are touring the entire North American leg of the gambit. I was surprised at how under played this tour was in the local information circuits. I had only found out that Nitzer Ebb was touring at all four days before but word of mouth had it that Santa Ana was the closest date. Just two days before the show, fliers and posters began to show up at some of the other Industrial EBM events in Los Angeles. I was super excited to see Nitzer Ebb, having listened to them since around '87, and if they picked someone to tour with them, I would give them a try. Upon listening to tracks on the //Tense// myspace page, my first impression was that it reminded me of old school Plastic Noise Experience. Their live show deviates from that comparison in several ways. The first being that they lay down several loops, some vocal, some synth, processed in an old fashioned way (but this can have very cool effects when used like this). The second is the addition of a quite hot woman handling percussion. This in itself lent quite a bit of presence to the stage persona and they also proved to be quite competent at producing what has now become old school industrial electronic music. Their songs are predominantly minimalistic electronic fair. Steady, dancable beats combined with interesting loops of processed sound bytes or synth hooks reminiscent of the old analog days. The vocals were accessible and not heavily distorted. Overall, I think they are a decent band and put on a good show. As I said it is a tough time slot to get taken seriously in, even if you are good. Most of the audience, while attentive and responsive, were preparing themselves - either mentally or by downing alcohol excitedly for the next band. I am glad for a band of this nature to get this opportunity. It is really interesting the whole demeanor of this tour for Nitzer Ebb. When I saw them 15 years ago, they made a huge affair in terms of venue and concert trappings, but this tour is almost a grass roots type small stage affair which lent itself quite well to a more intimate showing of personal music icons of mine. This also proved to be a good showcase for an interesting band like //Tense// that is obviously making a name for itself and having a good size crowd to indoctrinate to their sound.












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