Quiet Color

by emily smith

Gogol Bordello rocked Philadelphia’s Electric Factory on New Years Eve. At the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Years countdown this self proclaimed Gypsy Punk troop broke into their hit song “Start Wearing Purple” and released balloons, confetti, and monsters in the audience. The monsters weren’t real, they were actually “regular” people dressed up in big fuzzy monster costumes. I asked my friend Brian if he thought that the monsters got free tickets, if they were Philly locals or if they traveled with the band. Brian offered the likely alternative possibility that the monster costumes were actually these fans everyday attire. My friends are such assholes; we go to shows just to make fun of people for having a good time – ahhh Philly love.

Artist: Gogol Bordello Song: Start Wearing Purple

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At first glance, Gogol Bordello is a kitschy act – a tribe of traveling goofball, alcoholic, satirical slightly innovative punk musicians. These cats are smarter than meets the eye though, and for that I anticipate that this bit will stick around. Two years ago I stumbled half consciously into a daytime Gogol Bordello show in Bonnaroo’s What tent and was blown away. Lead singer Eugene Hutz was jumping around like a coked up Borat, chicks were on stilts and the venue was flooded with the color purple. This was two years ago, in summer 2007 and this band was telling the crowd to “Start Wearing Purple” at a time when no one wore purple. This past fall 2008, what was the hottest fashion show color? PURPLE. Dark Purple. Vogue, In Style and Marie Claire cover models wore purple on September and October 2008 issues. Tina Fey wore a deep purple sweater in the premiere episode of 30 Rock. How did Gogol Bordello know?

This is a band of medicine men. If you’ve got the sickness, Gogol Bordello has the cure. For example, Gogol Bordello, what should I do on New Years Eve 2009? Dress up in costume, come to Electric Factory, jump around like madman and do not worry so much about anything, hey!