Optrum

Tonight I will attend the promisingly titled Fuck Up! My Underground Era event at Shimokitazawa’s Basement Bar. Some Tokyo area bands that I feel the urge to investigate - namely Coma* and Henrytennis - are performing, while the light show is being taken care of by Optrum:

Let Optrum take care of all your lighting needs. Their fluorescent bulbs conserve energy and reduce bills by switching on and off at random intervals! Sure, there will be moments of terrifying darkness, but you will be guided on your way to the bathroom by the thunder of (renewable!) drumming to ensure that you never lose your bearings or drift off to sleep.

Please feel reassured as co-founder and ‘Optron player’ Atsuhiro Ito is a graduate of the Masters programme at Tama Art University and Optrum have already appeared at Barcelona’s Sonar Festival, considered by many to be the Olympics for professionals working in the field of electricity. The profile on the duo’s own website states their policy clearly:

“The light of the blinking fluorescent light, and the explosion noise emitted in connection with it. The rhythm which does not have the context at a reckless-run (stray?) & slam on the brake. Live performance which is not kind to ears to eyes, either. Those who see are made uneasy and allured to the whirlpool of a burst of laughter. 2 person groups of the rumor which does not make progress at all although it is a practice lover.”

So that settles it, then. It’s Merzbow meets Sonny & Cher. But which one is the abuser?