Holy Cow

with One Of Us, The Moors at The Middle East Cafe
by Angela Dauthi

I love it when the Middle East turns into a haven for the Goth children. The atmosphere instantly darkens, but you always see smiles and hear laughter from the shadows. I hadn’t showed my face for a while, and it felt good to stalk the floor for fresh prey. The night felt electric, charged with an energy that crackled through the crowd, twisting up the cobwebs and ivy that had been strategically placed around the club.

We were here to celebrate the fourth anniversary of WMBR’s “Bats In The Belfry” show, and it was looking to be quite a party. The Moors started things with a gentle sound, quiet hymns and chants in ancient languages, guitars entwining with delay and chorus. Always the chorus. I was a little disappointed to see that the drums were sequenced, but I guess it’s easier that way. A flute was produced, and a recorder, a high whistling melody trying to achieve counterpoint with itself. Their songs were incantations, invocations to swirling mists and higher entities, and there were some who responded. The air became thick and heavy with sound and spirit, which eventually dissipated as the last chorus effect faded into the distance.

I did think that John Eye had gone a little over the top for the One Of Us set. He had put in about a dozen four-foot-long hair extensions (well, they looked more like thin silk ropes), and was stripped down to nothing but a kilt. Okay, okay, he was sexy. Satisfied? Anyway, they launched into their set, signature bass drum rack booming, bass pumping, and John’s deep voice coming through strong and bold. He was as charismatic as ever, drawing all eyes toward him. I know I shouldn’t get so worked up, it’s just a show after all, but there’s something powerful about the drums. Their solid rhythms always make me want to dance, but I just swayed gently back and forth, entranced by the melodies. By the end, I wasn’t minding those extensions much.

Unfortunately, by the time Holy Cow came on, I was beat. Working hard, drinking seriously, smoking too much. It all catches up. I made my choice, and took him home.