Moshe Beauford – Gunned Down Horses finish European Tour in the Holy Land
I’ve previously written about Haifa-based Gunned Down Horses (GDH) — but this time is different. I had the chance to see the guys live at the infamous Levontin 7 in Tel Aviv, and the show didn’t disappoint.
I must also note that I’ve seen the four-piece live, close to or over a dozen times now, with a full house and with a crowd as small as a few people. They place a high value in interacting with the crowd, and as a result, all of their shows are highly-energetic.
This time was no different– but it was an important gig nonetheless, as it was the final in a series of seventeen shows in Germany, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Nazareth and Tel Aviv.
This made their last stop on the tour seem effortless and certainly contributed to the tight performance that came off almost as naturally as waking up and breathing.
The atmosphere in the venue was perfect, and the smell of marijuana filled the air where some Israel’s oddest yet most fascinating characters go to discover the local music scene. If you’re wondering if it was loud, the answer is yes.
IT. WAS. LOUD. AS. HELL.
This is not just from the music, but from the crowd, which screamed as the GDH came to the stage.
Joining The Horses for one, unforgettable tune later in the set was Haifa musician Rasha Nahas, an up-and-coming artist who now lives in and creates music in Berlin. Nahas ripped a rockstar-like and extremely melodic guitar solo mid-song and it, I must say — surprised me in the best way possible.
Although small in stature, Nahas’ voice is gigantic when she wants it to be. She’s great with manipulating pitch to achieve the notes that exist in between notes — ones of the blue variety. Her voice, paired with the deep roar of lead singer Davidav Dolev for their tragically-romantic duet was the move of a genius.
Tel Aviv-based הפסוליה של דייזי (Hafasulia shel Daisy) was also in the lineup, performing before The Horses. Named after a traditional Middle Eastern stew featuring lamb and beans, the band’s lyrics are in Hebrew and feature themes from sex to drugs and the Middle East.
Their performance was electrifying.
One could describe the band’s sound as odd, phallic, political in nature, hilarious, ridiculous, clever, electric-funk, rock, metal with elements of hip-hop, jazz and hardcore screaming intertwined. Needless to say, the group of young Israelis is a perfect representation of the kinds of experimental sounds coming out of the Middle East today.
If you haven’t seen the Horses live, I highly recommend it — they aren’t just musicians, they’re artists who create a unique orchestral rock-like sound that the world should be exposed to.
Vidi pic caption: GDH lead singer Davidav Dolev and drummer Yuval Tamir. (Eli Haberman)
Vidi-Rasha: Davidav Dolev and Rasha Nahas singing a duet at GDH TLV performance. (Yoss Stybel)
The GDH. (Yoss Stybel)
Thanks,
Moshe
