Slick Idiot and More Machine Than Man: Hollywood, CA 5-13-06

A lot of bands try to make up for a lackluster stage presence with a lackluster background video. More Machine Than Man is not one of those bands. Their stage presence isn't lackluster, first of all; at their recent Bar Sinister show, vocalist Tasha's performance was phenomenal, despite some issues with the monitors. The video was the real attraction, though; More Machine Than Man perform behind a giant projection screen, and for the most part film their own videos. Subject matter ranged from political satire and coprophilia on "Why?" to a "Star Wars" porn parody on "Tonight," and had the audience alternately laughing and squirming in discomfort. It's one of the most unusual live performance set-ups you'll ever have the chance to see, and is worth checking out even if you're not normally a fan of KMFDM-inspired techno metal.

Headlining act Slick Idiot's set was surprisingly light on new material but offered plenty of old favorites. The band, which is the new side project of former KMFDM singer En Esch, played a few newer tracks like "N.Y. Boogie" and the blisteringly fast "Hallelujah," but the bulk of their set came from their 2001 debut album DickNity. The highlight, though, came near the end of their set with a series of early KMFDM hits that whipped the crowd into a frenzy, particularly on the classic "A Drug Against War."

Although Slick Idiot co-founder and fellow KMFDM alumnus Günter Shulz was not in attendance (he's currently gearing up for a tour with PIG, the solo project Raymond Watts, yet another former KMFDM vocalist), More Machine Than Man's singer and guitarist Rob "Tech" ably filled his shoes, and Esch himself was in full effect, complete with shaved head and incongruous pantyhose, snarling into the microphone and mugging for the photographers in the front row. An excellent show, and the old-school KMFDM fans really got their money's worth.

Visit the club at www.barsinister.net and the bands at www.slickidiot.com and www.mmtm.net.