Tribe 8 headlines a spicy show at the 'Sco

Playful mood gets sexy with queer punk rock

It was an evening of female power and punk rock at the 'Sco Monday night as California's Tribe 8 finished up what openers Nancy Dyed and Bippy started. The songs were fast, the riffs were raw and the substantial crowd was aggressive: all the elements of a successful show, Oberlin style.

Initiating the evening's playful punk merriment with a trademark "One-Two-Three-Four!" call to the crowd were amateur punk four-piece Nancy Dyed. Introduced as "The Band That Will Be King," Nancy provided more entertainment in its childish flaws than musical comprehension.

The highlight of their set was during their sixth - or was it 16th? - number. Drummer Brian Laakso, competing diligently for credibility amidst his jocular band mates, accidentally lost a drumstick mid-song, but caught up unnoticed by the others on-stage. They were too wrapped up in their own acts: singer/attempted-guitarist sophomore Mike Shaeffer had just broken his second string, bassist Saloman Borenstein started slipping in his finger work and shouted "Fuck you all," while off in his own melodic world, guitarist Josh Bucci seemed not to notice. But who said they didn't put on a good show? The crowd was all-embracing, even during the Minor Threat cover.

Relieving any disappointment were all-male punk group number-two, Bippy. At first it seemed as though their set would follow in the style of their predecessors - short, meaningless jolts of chaotic noise - yet they managed to prove themselves worthy; each song increasingly better than the previous. The student band's performance was pleasantly surprising, thanks to the combined talent of four serious musicians.

Guitarist Larry Szmulowicz strummed eagerly through each tightly sprung tune, while bassist Chris Stansfield added some patterns and even had a few spotlights of his own in later numbers. Tying it all together was drummer Nachie Castro, remarkably steady and unobnoxious, despite the demanding speed of the melodies. Singer Art Ettinger demonstrated experienced on-stage performance and a good relationship with his audience, especially through his hyper rendition of REM's "The One I Love." One star-struck on-looker even ran on-stage for a steamy embrace with Ettinger.

At last, the drum set and amps were cleared to make way for the headliners, aggressively lesbian punk quintet Tribe 8. Singer Lynn Breedlove introduced the band and started speaking incomprehensibly. Before she finished, the guitars and drums started, beginning the set.

Tribe 8's style was hallmarked with all the elements of the previous testosterone-energized bands, only better, justifying their headlining slot. Though initially entwined with simple two-chord manifestations and one-two bass lines, often hinting at a twang of country, the music quickly diverged itself into full-fledged rock, increasingly aggressive with each number. Transforming from inviting, happy punk to more a violent metal-like style, Breedlove's attitude paralleled her songs. By the fifth, she was topless, angry and raring to go - and the audience was loving it.

Violence was a key theme, as well; throughout several numbers, Breedlove threatened her arm with a jagged bowie knife, without failing to preach her lyrics on key, all at the same time.

"I'm not going to sing 'til all the girls are in the front," she warned, as several shocked male attendees cowered in the corners. The evening was filled with anti-male commentary. Breedlove challenged the audience numerous times with statements such as: "If you think we're unladylike, then you can suck my dick."

The oddest moment of the show came about an hour into the set. Breedlove "bared all" and whipped out the dildo she had strapped on under her leather pants, later beckoning the teenaged roadie selling Tribe 8 collectibles to give her a blow job on stage. The audience mused while the deed was completed in sync with drummer Slade Bellum's pulsations. However, it was unclear whether Breedlove had genuine political intentions or was simply putting on a show to get a reaction.

The tunes increased in velocity and volume, the 'Sco's temperature rose and some members of the crowd began to go shirtless like their feminist leader. The lyricized noise-rock collaborations pressed onward, coercing the onlookers to give in and groove; each selection wavered through styles of rock and punk and some hints of ska-like beats. Even when the evening finally came to a close at 1 a.m., the dancers still hadn't had enough, and welcomed Tribe 8 back to the stage for a three-song encore.

Hardly a typical night out, Tribe 8 showed Oberlin students just how talented five "angry dykes" can be. The set was solid, quick and tight, following in the standard tradition of good punk rock. Musical preferences aside, Monday's evening at the 'Sco was incredibly entertaining. Though Tribe 8's outward, in-your-face aggression may have frightened some and dumbfounded others, Breedlove summarized her band's attitude shortly after the show. "Fuck you!" she said. "We're friendly."

Poking a little fun: Tribe 8 frontwoman Lynn Breedlove showed no inhibitions as she challenged the audience to accept gender bending, good punk rock and general debauchery. (Photo by Laren Rusin)

Arena rock?: Tribe 8 kept it feisty at the 'Sco (Photo by Laren Rusin)