Electric Callboy!

I finally got to see a concert at the Rooftop at Pier 17! I was disappointed I didn't initially see Deftones in 2022 at this venue. Deftones rescheduled their tour with Gojira in 2020 for obvious reasons, and it kept getting pushed back. My ticket was originally for the Philly tour date, but the touring schedule wasn't optimally doable. Furthermore, the show in NYC was disappointingly sold out. All this to say, I've always wanted to go to the Pier 17 venue, and I would like Deftones to come back on tour.

Danny introduced Electric Callboy to me. They’re a German electronicore band that fuses metalcore with electronic music. So basically, it is metal that you can dance to. As a fan of mainly pop and metal music, I appreciate artists who blend the two genres, like Poppy, BabyMetal, and Bring Me The Horizon. The band seems to be thriving since I was first introduced to them during the pandemic. I know songs like ‘Hypa Hypa,’ We Got the Moves,’ and ‘Pump It’ from their popularity in my current household.

We missed Electric Callboy when they toured in the US last September, playing at Palladium Times Square in NYC. I felt terrible that Danny didn’t get to go, so I was happy when they announced new tour dates. In the end, it always works out in our favor. Opening bands, If Not For Me and Bury Tomorrow, were metalcore ensembles. I always respect lesser-known openers, but metalcore isn't always my cup of tea. These bands still killed it live, though!

The Rooftop at Pier 17 is a gorgeous venue with views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is standing only, with a small enclosed VIP area. We ended up mid- and center of the stage during Bury Tomorrow. I had a feeling standing there would be bad for me once EC started their set, but I was trying to convince myself it wouldn't be that bad.

I was wrong. Once EC started their opener, I could feel the crowd closing in on me, and I couldn't see anything. I'm too short to be amidst the chaos. Everyone towers over me in the crowd, and I get claustrophobic and anxious. What's amusing is that I could see the band on stage better from the outskirts of the crowd. Also, I got sprayed on the side of my face with some alcoholic beverage when someone threw their cup in the air. I hate people, but you must be among them and their stupid behavior if you want to go to a concert.

Their tracklist consisted mainly of songs from their latest album, Tekkno. Thankfully, I took time a few weeks ago to finally listen to the album and get familiar with the songs before the tour. I recognize songs like ‘Tekkno Train,’ ‘Spaceman,’ ‘Fuckboi,’ and ‘Hurrikan.’ Also, I loved all of the heart graphics for ‘Arrow of Love.’ It's the simple things that get me. From 2020 on, it seems EC is focused on rebranding itself as a band. They played 2-3 songs from previous albums, like ‘Best Day’ and ‘MC Thunder’ but nothing from their much older discography.

From my Electric Callboy research for this blog, I discovered that while the band always had two vocalists, Nico Sallach didn't join until 2020. Most of the band had been together since 2010, but their vocalist, Sebastian “Sushi” Biesler, left and started a band called Ghøstkid. Ironically, I like one of Ghøstkid’s songs, but I would have never known the singer was in EC due to how different Ghøstkid is aesthetically.

The band has since apologized for offensive and discriminatory songs in their past discography, stating that they don't reflect how EC feels as a band. They have gone as far as removing these songs from musical platforms and reworking them lyrically. I appreciate artists willing to listen to constructive criticism and take steps to grow as they mature as a band.

I understand why they did not play many songs from 2010 to 2019, as they don't reflect the band they are now. EC seemed like a very different ensemble with their former singer, Sushi. He doesn't fit the band to me, but I didn't know EC before 2020. I can see why Sushi left the band to pursue his current project, embodying a more serious, darker tone in the music and visuals. I've read some of Electric Callboy’s lyrics from earlier albums, and they are so cringy. LOL. It reminds me of my college days listening to obscene Jeffree Star songs.

I assume they were pretty young back then, trying to be edgy with overly sexual party lyrics. Their evolution is quite refreshing to me. They've matured and present themselves as a more serious band now while keeping their prominent personality and producing fun music that showcases their eminence talent. Also, I almost forgot that the band was initially called “Eskimo Callboy” but changed the name in 2022 because ‘Eskimo’ is regarded as offensive. I like Electric Callboy better.

The concert was so energetic and fun. The whole band sounded great live. I love the rapport between the two singles, Kevin and Nico. The two are comedians on stage between songs, bouncing jokes off one another. They are so natural in the way they speak to the crowd. Their drummer, David, did a solo that cleverly mixed Darude’s infamous ‘Sandstorm’ with the theme from Squid Games.

EC are also clowns because they did a cover of Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’ and Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way.’ Nico sang his heart out during these songs, though. He's such a great vocalist. On a more serious note, they do a fantastic cover of Cascada’s ‘Everytime We Touch.’

Danny crowd surfed during ‘Hurrikan.’ He took photos with his disposable camera while in the air. I think he’s still too old to be doing this, but who am I to say? He asked if we saw him, and we said no. LOL. I was too busy vibing to the songs. EC came out in their ridiculous wardrobes for ‘Pump It’ and ‘We Got the Moves.’ If you’ve seen videos for Electric Callboy, you know what I’m talking about. Some people’s outfits in the crowd were fun and creative Electric Callboy costumes. I love the band’s bright colors and was jealous of everyone’s Electric Callboy shirts because hot pink and turquoise always call to me.

I really enjoyed this concert, both because of the production of this tour and the high intensity of the band; it really solidified me as an Electric Calloby fan. They mentioned how crazy it was for them to be at such a beautiful venue in the city that never sleeps, and I looked over to see the Brooklyn Bridge lit up in the background, thinking the same thing to myself. It’s nights like these that I will never forget.

Well, it seems the Tekkno Train isn’t stopping anytime soon because Electric Callboy JUST released a new song, RATATATA, with BABYMETAL! YOU should go listen now! I love all these metal collaborations lately. What a time to be alive as a metal fan…

Set List: 

1. Tekkno Train
2. MC Thunder II (Dancing Like a Ninja)
3. Spaceman
4. Hate/Love
5. Everytime We Touch (Cascada cover)
6. The Scene
7. Castrop X Spandau
8. Arrow of Love
9. Best Day
10. Drum Solo (Darude cover)
11. Hypa Hypa
12. Parasite
13. Let It Go/I Want It That Way
14. Hurrikan
15. Fuckboi
16. MC Thunder

Encore:
17. Pump It
18. Mindreader

Encore 2:
19. We Got the Moves