Daiana Feuer on June 28th, 2015

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ESG gave a joyous performance this past Friday at the Regent Theater. It’s been three years since the polyrhythm-loving family band from the Bronx last graced a Los Angeles stage, and boy was it fun. Listening to ESG hits like “Dance,” “Moody,” “UFO,” and “You Make No Sense” is exciting enough — particularly when you take in the scope of the band’s influence on house, rap, post-punk, and indie rock — but to see this lo-fi homemade funky dance music in person is mesmerizing. From their casual unpretentious appearance to the unique instrumentation—three percussion players, a bass, and drums—the show was a welcome reminder that good music comes from the heart, not from what kind of outfit it’s wearing, and, yes, people should smile on stage. They made it look easy. What ESG can do with three pairs of sticks and a tambourine puts the most expensive drum machine to shame. Another dub inspired band, openers Sex Stains warmed up the crowd with a spirited, high energy performance, punctuated by addictive grooves from the band and bouncing wails, splits and shrieking giggles exchanged by its alluring frontwomen.

Photos by Carl Pocket, courtesy of the Echo