By: Cyn Collins
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The Doomtree Collective, in warmer days - Photo by Josh Syx from their website.
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One of the best live shows I've seen this year, Saturday’s Doomtree Blowout at the Varsity Theater featured the entire crew of 10 together on stage for the first time in nearly two years. Each member of the Doomtree Collective is charismatic and talented, but taken as a whole Doomtree is a force to be reckoned with. About 400 people from all walks of life -- punks, rockers, hip hop fans and more – were waiting in line to get into the theater when I arrived. Though the show was sold out, people continued to wait in line for people to leave just for a chance to experience Doomtree.
As I walked in I felt a flurry of electricity. The eclectic crowd focused on the many visuals. Members of art collective KHS made a giant wheat paste mural on the fly throughout both sets. There was a raffle for items from each member of the Collective, tattoos, gear, recordings, posters, even a date with your favorite Doomtree member. Breakdancing crews performed between sets.
A full-scale cinema screen in the backdrop played a Doomtree video, film of bombs and war imagery, '50's nuclear attack educational films, strange images, cool logos and art. The always excellent Varsity lighting contributed to the drama. Even the MC's waiting in the shadows were lit ominously. One of the MC's covered himself in fake blood from head to toe.
Doomtree brought intense energy to the crowd and the crowd gave back in spades like something I’ve seldom seen in music. Their live hip hop show has all the energy of punk and indie rock and then some. Intelligent lyrics, fearless messages, and the primal immediacy of the rhythms contribute to its power. It felt like change was actually occurring in the room, waiting to be taken out into the world. Hope for people and advocacy of action opposed to apathy was one of the main messages I got from the songs -- don't close your eyes and be invisible. Stand up and fight for what you stand for.
It was a rare opportunity to see the entire Doomtree crew on stage at the same time, and I felt inspired to hit the streets and advocate them to the world, to tell everyone about their vocals in tight unison, alternating with impeccable timing, and the beautiful, brilliant and tough Dessa, a crowd favorite with her Brooklyn accent and fiery spirit. Mike Mictlan was a charming and mischievous favorite of mine as well. Mictlan, from L.A. said he'd never experienced a crowd like this one. Sims and Laserbeak were also fantastic. DJ's Paper Tiger, Marshall Larada, Tom Servo and Turbo Nemesis spun phenomenal crazy samples and loops (including a Cure keyboard sample).
POS took the stage with dramatic flair a ways into the first full set and the crowd went wild. The music was excellent, filled with funk bass riffs and beautiful keyboards. Jessy Greene contributed exquisite violin on some songs and sang and played some numbers with songstress Dessa who displayed beautifully white-hot vocals on slower songs. While I appreciate all the projects Greene works on (which number several), this group seems to be the most perfect fit.
When they left the stage after their second set, the capacity crowd of at least 550 – The Varsity told me it was likely their biggest night ever -- chanted DOOMTREE as though they'd riot if they didn't come back. When they did, their last 3 songs were even more raw and impossibly urgent. It seemed they were about to do one more, when technical difficulties ensued (I think). As they walked off stage, Dessa quipped, "That was a Doomtree ending, FOR SURE."
One noteable upcoming Doomtree collection show: P.O.S. plays at First Avenue January 31st for his CD release, which also kicks off his 42 show "P.O.S. is ruining my life" North American tour with Sims, Turbo Nemesis and guests.
Location Info:
The Varsity Theater
Artist Info: Doomtree Collective
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