Recording: Tata Chris/Jim Benbow/{AN} EeL

Artist: Tata Chris/Jim Benbow/{AN} EeL

Song: [2nd section]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (H.W.G. Showcase), July 14, 2018.

Tata Chris/Jim Benbow/{AN} EeL - [2nd section]

There was a hint of sadness to this night as it was the only surviving vestige of the planned second instalment of the Eclec~Tic~Toc Fest, which was brought low by some of the perennial problems with finding suitable spaces for DIY events in this city. That was far outweighed, however, by a chance to catch up with the now-expatriated force of nature known as {AN} EeL, joyfully mashing musicians together just as he does on some his mail-art-styled recording projects.

Capping an evening with an unusual number of robust beards and large spikes, these Hippies With Guns (as I am given to understand the abbreviation stands for) were a working unit back in Neal D. Retke's time south of the border. There was definitely a sense of familiarity between them, even if this was to be a new experience for most in attendance. No casual undertaking, this involved a fairly complicated setup, including bringing inside a concrete slab that would be (as heard in this extract) scraped upon and then battered and demolished. Some gliss/glide guitar stylings completed the setting for Retke's whoops and hollers. Intense and a bit claustrophobic, the tension was abated with an off-kilter cover of Eno's "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" before sending the crowd off into the night.