I forget when we first heard about Gogol Bordello, a Ukrainian/Russian group that gathered its first few members at a Vermont Russian wedding in 1998.  Check out their crazy history here.  We liked the music in the movie Everything is Illuminated, but it wasn’t until some Russian friends of ours told us that the lead singer was from the Ukraine (and that the movie songs were, in actuality, quite crass), that we became interested.  Our daughter is from the Ukraine, and we wanted to know what that “looked like.”  That’s how we ended up at a Gogol Bordello concert last June.  Last night, we were drawn back in again, because if you’ve been once, you have to go again!

The Cabooze is tucked back behind Whiskey Junction, which is a regular hang out for bikers.  A whole different crowd than I’m used to, which is a good thing.

Gogol Bordello’s music is difficult to describe.  If I said it’s like attending a wedding where everyone’s drinking, dancing, and singing, would that give you a smidgen of an idea?  I’m not sure.  A little gypsy and folk and metal and ballad–along with circus-like antics–and maybe that would make it clearer.  They give a great show.  Never boring.

But more so, I’m drawn to the audience.  Dan and I both commented that this is the way church should be.  We’ve not seen it (such a church) if it exists.  That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist; it just means we haven’t seen it.  The strangest sights (by this I simply mean that I don’t see them every day…not that they’re actually strange), and yet no one stares at anyone else.  Dan and I would have been the oddities, if anything.  Seriously, I just wanted to grab someone…anyone…and have them tell me the story of their life.  Of their tattoos.  Of their body piercings.  Of their spiked, dyed hair.  Of their ripped lycra clothing.  Of their awesome, unbelievable bikes parked outside.  I possessed an overwhelming desire to find out everyone’s story.  I loved the camaraderie and love.

Here’s one of Gogol Bordello’s signature songs called “Start Wearing Purple,” meaning LIVE LIFE NOW!  You almost need a drink in hand.  Enjoy!