SEX WITH STRANGERS “New City Anthem” Music Video Release Party with ADJECTIVE at The Media Club

Waiting for Sex With Strangers is like waiting for a flashback. David Bowie songs play as the band sets up, and nothing could be more indicative of the music that is about to take place. A large screen is erected in front of the stage, and the lights dim as the projector warms up. Less than one month after celebrating the release of their album The Tokyo Steel, Sex With Strangers is celebrating the release of their “New City Anthem” music video, which features several of their Vancouver fans, as well as cameo appearances by Girlfriends and Boyfriends and Luna from Adjective.

Sex With Strangers’ techno music is great for dancing (which the crowd demonstrates), but I’m not convinced that the music translates as well in person as it does on their album, The Tokyo Steel. Their stage presence is engaging, as is their music, but their harmonies are neither as strong nor as tight as on the album. Hatch Benedict (who often leaves the stage to dance and sing amid the audience) uses a cool voice distortion keyboard, which is fascinating. This is a given, but there is a heavy reliance on the beat tracks. I find it very disconcerting when the only guitar is accidentally unplugged from the pedal, the guitarist stops for a minute to plug it back in, and the sound doesn’t change. Also unusual is their set list. It is identical to that of their CD release party less than one month ago, and ends with “New City Anthem,” which we heard when they opened with the music video for that song. However, when it comes to dance music and getting people moving, Sex With Strangers knows how it’s done.

Adjective photo by Leigh Eldridge :: This is my fifth Adjective show. The funny thing is that I’m not even trying to see them, they’re just always there! Not in a creepy stalker kind of way, but in a we’ve-got-to-stop-meeting-like-this kind of way. Though this is the fifth time I’ve seen them, it was by far their best show! It may have been the atmosphere, maybe sharing a bill with Sex With Strangers guarantees an energetic crowd. At one point someone calls from the stage, “You guys aren’t screaming enough.” It is their best performance in front of their best audience. All in all, a good night. Bassist Dustin Bromley tells me that they’ve been feverishly writing and writing and writing, and so it’s nice to have this release. I’m pleased for them, and look forward to the crazy-random-happenstance that will be our next encounter.

SEX WITH STRANGERS SET LIST
1. Tokyo Steel
2. We Want the Fire
3. The Dawn of Sexy
4. Dance Commander
5. Last of the Unreals
6. Sharpen the Knife
7. (The Part Where You) Surrender
8. Dance Police
9. New City Anthem

ADJECTIVE SET LIST
1. PW1
2. Montrous Little Boy
3. Snake on the Periphery
4. The One We Know
5. Integer
6. Accelerator Man
7. Profession
8. Dirty Birds
9. Goodbye.wav
10. Exit Sign