Japanther's Dinosaur Death Dance

The staff at P.S. 122 handed out free earplugs at the door at [last Friday's Japanther show].  That was a foretaste of what was to come at Brooklyn noise-duo [Japanther](www.japanther.com)'s set in a small cave-like room packed with devoted followers revved up and toting cans of Rolling Rock. Don't you love it when it rains beer? The music was tribal, it was loud, it was percussive. And it was actually good.

Women in silver hoods came running through the crowd, and then there was the guy on the skateboard rolling down a ramp, almost knicking me. I haven't seen such high energy moshing since a PiL show in 1992. Nothing like some crowdsurfing to lighten your spirits or getting slammed. The only safe spot was near the band, inches away from drummer-singer Ian Vanek or Matt Reilly on bass. It was a mock funeral, a "Dinosaur Death Dance" complete with an animatronic dinosaur writhing about and an old gray-haired guy named Penny Rimbaud intoning mumbo jumbo ceremonial incantations.

Japanther's stated goal is: 1.To effect people using positive dance rituals. 2. To stand tall in the wake of creative energy. 3. To escape drudgery and have FUN whilst traveling.  Mission accomplished.