“Are we a rock band or what?” That is how this British hybrid band starts their new record, and it’s also a very fitting credo for their stage show. At first impression, one is not quite sure what to make of this band, which includes a turntablist named DJ Harry K and a full rock band. While they’ve gained a fine reputation as mixmasters themselves (having handled remixes for Lenny Kravitz, Puff Daddy/Jimmy Page, U2, and way too many others to mention here), their most famous turn has most likely been their remake of the theme to “Lost In Space,” featured in that awful movie that was released last year.

With an extremely energetic, exciting set, Apollo 440 recently took New York City by storm. Opening with the aforementioned theme, they swept the crowded hall into another dimension. Next was a song titled “Raw Power,” followed by “Altamont,” both from their previous releases. “Heart Go Boom,” from the current disc, straddled the line between funk, rock and techno, seamlessly sliding from one groove into another. The wonderfully titled “The Machine In The Ghost” rocked the place right into a great song called “Stop the Rock.”

“Yo! Future” and, my favorite from the new disc, “Stadium Parking Lot,” were up next, complete with that ever present funky beat. After a brief break, the band launched into their encores, which included “For Forty Days” and “Cold Rock Da Mic.” It was a fun evening of body moving music (whatever you want to call it) by a band one should expect to hear a lot more about in the near future.
Apollo 440

Irving Plaza

(New York, NY)

review and photo by j bloomrosen