Concerts at bowling alleys are traditionally considered an afterthought. Competing with the crashing of pins can be cumbersome and eye roll inducing. The only way to combat this near certainty is to be louder than the pins. Gogol Bordello took those challenges and chose expert level. Their four-night New Year’s residency at Brooklyn Bowl, their adopted home turf, had the gypsy punk aficionados in prime form. 

It didn’t hurt that fuzz rock legend John Spencer was in the direct opening slot for night one. Known for his hit “Bell Bottoms,” Spencer’s raw power trio made you feel like you were behind the wheel of 1970’s Camaro in the climactic sequences of a Tarantino film. The band was rounded out by electrifying performances from bassist Kendall Wind and drummer Macky Bowman. Wind and Bowman are most notably part of thrash punk outfit The Bobby Lees, who went on an indefinite hiatus after a final show at the Bowery Ballroom earlier this month. John Spencer and this incarnation of his Blues Explosion found their pocket early and never left. Bowman galloping through standout tracks like “Ghost” and “I Wanna Make it Alright” gave a raw, visceral feeling to a crowd that was champing at the bit to get rowdy. Spencer’s stage presence was meticulously crafted, Distorted vocal effects added to the delightful cacophony. With our headliner waiting in the wings jubilantly dancing along, it felt like they could play all night long and no one would have minded the bait and switch.

But make no mistake, this was a night for the gypsy punks. The ragtag group took the stage bearing accordions (yes plural), a violin, guitars, bass, and all sorts of percussion. Affectionately described by lead singer and founder Eugene Hutz as a “gang of carnies,” Gogol brought zany, gritty gusto for the next hour and a half with few breaks. Hutz is a master of crowd engagement. Whether it's orchestrating the mosh pit as he sees fit,  rousing calls and responses, or simply destroying an article of clothing after each song, Hutz makes you feel as if you’re part of the band. A Ukrainian political refugee, his zeal for individual freedom is contagious. Many were seen welling up as the Gogol covered the Angelic Upstarts song, “Solidarity”, played as a massive show of support for those fighting for their freedom in Ukraine. Covered in sweat, dirt, beer, wine and spit, Hutz provides the emotional core to a group that emanates unbridled energy. Violin player Sergey Ryabtsev’s bow produces literal smoke in the stage lights as the horse hair strands shred with every stroke. This intensity gives way to an accordion vs. violin duel which both the Thursday and Friday night crowd ate up with glee.

Traversing through such standouts tracks as “Not a Crime!”, “Immigrant Punk”,  and “Wanderlust King”, the adoring crowd bought in early. A few two-tone ska adjacent tracks were thrown into the mix to give breaks between the three ring circus of sonic punk assault. To the delight of the audience, Hutz whips the crowd with careening streams of red wine during Gogol’s hit “Start Wearing Purple”. After the ceremonial fake out good night moment, Hutz comes back on stage with guitar in hand, and chooses to perch high on a stack of apple boxes. With a shout out to the New York hardcore legends Agnostic Front, Hutz plays a stripped down version of “Victim in Pain.”  He then begins a somber rendition of “The Song with No Name” as tribute in memoriam of The Pogues’ lead singer and Hutz’s mentor Shane MacGowan. Shortly thereafter the rest of the band joins him for the aptly titled jam, “Alcohol.”  Out comes a marching band bass drum that is initially used for it’s everyday purpose but is soon turned into a crowd surfing device By Hutz. Gogol finishes out with the fan favorite, “Indestructible”. Simply put, you owe it to yourself to see this band live. As Hutz so aptly summarizes, “super excruciating, maximum respect.” Get a taste of Gogol’s live set from Hellfest 2023 in France.

Review & Photos by: Jay Bartell

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