Phenomenauts and ArnoCorps at The Ashkenaz Cafe – Berkeley, CA

Although the heavy wind and rain that poured down over Berkeley proved to be pretty intense, it was no match for the powerful forces of the two of the Bay Area's most highly respected bands: ArnoCorps and the Phenomenauts. It was the first time that both bands have played a show together in seven years, so they respectively titled the show "When Heroes Unite".Though both bands stem from two completely different genres, they both have an army of loyal followers that came together to commemorate and go on a mission with two heroic bands at the Ashkenaz dance and music community center.

From the get go, the Ashkenaz possessed a laid-back and fun atmosphere to it, with friendly staff and vintage political signs plastered on the walls. While observing the crowd, you either saw people donning helmets, face paint, and war gear for Arnocorps or sharply dressed individuals wearing red and black or intergalactic attire for the Phenomenauts. Although two bands commenced the show, Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits and Sharp Objects, I made it just in time to catch the ballsiness of ArnoCorps. ArnoCorps is arguably the most unique band out there due to the fact that they truly do not fit a genre- they are "action adventure, hardcore rock n' roll"; although "the motivation behind the band is far too complex to be defined by such superficial characteristics", they are devoted to singing about ancient Austrian folktales and myths, and though it appears that they worship Arnold Schwarzenegger, they believe that the actor/governor ruined and bastardized these tales with his films . Like the fans, the band came on stage in full combat and camoflague paint on their faces and addressed the pumped up crowd in Austrian accents. The liveliness that the band is infamous for immediately appeared, with people raising their fists and chanting along to the ballsy and heroic lyrics. The goddamn heroes performed songs such as, "Predator", "Red Heat", "Terminator", and "Commando" to the enthusiastic crowd. One of the highlights of ArnoCorps performance was the high amount of audience participation, namely the muscle flexing contest and studs/studettes who were called on stage to sing along with the band. The heroes ended their set with the anthems "I'm Ballsy" and "Last Action Hero", causing chaos on stage and in the crowd and proving that their lyrics ring true by not taking shit from anyone.

Hailing from what they claim as Earth's capital (Oakland), The Phenomenauts were up next, and as the camouflage started to disappear from the front of the stage, a surge of red and black quickly snagged the spots. The set started out like any other, with the "clouds of CO2" being sprayed into the audience and fans screaming for the galactic pioneers. They performed the usual hits, including "Man Alone", "I Am Not a Robot", "Neptune City" and the fan favorite off the album "Rockets and Robots", "Tiny Robots" while ArnoCorps is unique because they simply create their own genre, the Phenomenauts are different because of their blend of surf rock, Punk, psychobilly, New Wave, and of course, science and honor. The Steamerator 2000, the tool that shoots rolls of toilet paper into the crowd, made it's usual appearance via Professor Greg Arius which never fails to fans, whether it be their first Phenomenauts show or their hundredth. Once the galactic heros exited the stage, fans immediately began to sing the chant: "PHEN-OMEN-AUTS, PHENOMENAUTS!". Vocalist/guitarist the sensuous Commander Angel Nova emerged wearing a Hugh Hefner-esque robe and serenaded the crowd with "Cyborg" along with the talented AR-7 on the keyboard, causing everyone in the audience to sway arm-in-arm. The rest of the band came out to conclude the set with the hit "Particle Accelerator".

Rather than encouraging everyone to leave, the staff at Ashkenaz invited people to stay and dance to the house music, which consisted of Ska tunes such as the Aggrolites and the Slackers. Thanks to the fantastic studs that make up ArnoCorps and the stylish galactic pioneers known as the Phenomenauts, fans left the building to fearlessly conquer that harsh weather that the Bay Area experienced. Mind-blowing things happen "When Heroes Unite", and us norms can only hope that these two amazing forces can combine once again for another mission to bring us musical greatness and a stellar live performance.

-Sarah K.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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