Social Deviance # 27

 This week--

I hate elation
for know I will find depression
in opposite extreme---
The new tenant in the room next door
has a fondness for AM radio
music hour after hour--
Yet I'm glad the arguing junkie couple
has gone--
A-few quiet tenants
in-between those
and the woman who
used to pound-screaming on walls--
arguing with herself--
and I keep telling myself,
this is what you've wanted all along
to be lonely and alone
writing in some room
no one would care to visit--
uninterrupted and disturbed--

I saw Hate Department at the (crappy) club Conspiracry in southern California before they departed on their US tour. I am using this is a review of the show, but more than likely this is a musing over the fact that I actually went to a Hate Dept. show before, and quite frankly I had more fun than I thought I would. I have always thought Hate Dept.'s music was pretty good, not exceptional, but not bad. The singers voice sounds a bit egotistical on tape, but so do many other singers' voices. Seeing them live was quite and experience; a lot less bland than listening to their music on a stereo. The drums were amazing, the synthesizer was executed very well. As for the guitar, I counldn't hear it too well . Whoever was in charge of the sound equipment at the club did a horrible job. In short: you suck buddy! The vocals were too loud, overpowered the guitar and often times the synthesizer. As long as we'er on the subject of vocals... I don't think I've laughed harder. Sometimes rapping, sometimes screaming, sometimes yelling, Steve (the singer) would jump up and down and make gestures as if he were a kid who had to pee REAL bad. Steve had such an aura of EGO about him that I thought "Wow! He's either a real snob, or someone with a low self-esteem who tries his best not to show it on stage." His singing was not only off beat, but WAY offbeat. Okay, that's not fair. No need to be negative, I do admit the club's acoustics and the soung guy sucked, which could have formed the illusion of off beat vocals . But come on, this Hate Dept. ! You see .... the myth is that the band members thrive on hate, so a little negativism wouldn't hurt. (Well, actually there is no myth, but what do you expect? I mean they're not Flower Power Dept.) The highlight of the show was when Steve dedicated thier encore song to me. The song was called "Fuck you" and yes he did flick me off numerous times during the song, non-chalnt; of course.
Overall, if you are in the mood for some neo-industrial and some fun and laughs go see them., if your are into dark/serious/dramatic or gothic, you are in for a dissapointment.
Shahab Zargari - of Kill The Scientist
k.t.s.@usa.net