FFFF Live Review: Deerhoof
Auditorium Shores, Nov. 4
Reviewed by Chase Hoffberger, Fri., Nov. 2, 2012
Deerhoof
Auditorium Shores, Nov. 4Hard to imagine one band could wear 18 years as well as Deerhoof does, but that credit goes to the San Francisco quartet's ever-progressing ability to evolve and stay fresh. This round, it was singer Satomi Matsuzaki – now almost exclusively on bass – and the boys' decision to open their sundown set from the finale. "Fête d'adeiu," the meaty, celebratory closer off this year's Breakup Song, had Matsuzaki singing "bye-bye, bye-bye" before she had time to break into her jumping jacks and other assorted oddball calisthenics. Aside from that and Deerhoof's rip-roaring, White Denim-level attention to intricate timings and sudden changes, the set's highlight was also its most heartwarming. Breaking from a 10-minute medley that had him twisted around like elephant god Ganesha, drummer Greg Saunier stood up, took the microphone, and said, "That guy in the grey shirt – he's supposed to be working the monitors. And if he gets to his deck in time, he'll be able to hear me tell him the sound up here is fuming perfect." As "Flower" and Deerhoof's final all-chip-in riot made obvious, it fumed out in the crowd as well.