Afro-punk gets naughty in New Orleans - 11.6.09

It was time for the Afro-punk tour bus to rock another city, so the bands took their journey to the birthplace of jazz-- New Orleans, Louisiana. After enjoying the warm weather that Orlando had to offer, the bands got in their whips and headed to their next city.

We pulled up to The House of Blues and the bands-- Saul Williams, Earl Greyhound, American Fangs, and Krak Attack, hit the streets after their nine hour drive to New Orleans. Kwame, Saul's keyboardist, attempted to make a little extra cash outside the venue and practiced his accordion outside. The House of Blues even chalked up this dope wall sign highlighting the Afro-punk music tour.

After grabbing some gumbo, we then met up with 20-year-old, Dorian Faust, who took us around the New Orleans Afro-punk scene. Sporting a red Mohawk, facial piercing, and a cast with stitches on her finger (which she got after her voodoo initiation ritual) Dorian is training to become a voodoo priestess and lives with one of the most well known occultists in New Orleans. She also just created her own alternative cabaret show in for black woman with edgy tastes to perform without judgement, she said.

The streets were lively with bright colors and music as Dorian took the crew around Bourbon Street to visit some of the voodoo shops she frequents. She even took us to a black owned vampire boutique shop, Boutique du Vampyre, that sells vampire and spell books, secret coded candles, art and other quirky vampire tools and is the only vampire boutique in the country. The owner, Steven Crandle, has owned the shop for seven years and said he often gets business from people really looking to use his products.

Here is Steven Crandle inside of his store, Boutique du Vampyre:

Back at The House of Blues it was show time. The guys in American Fangs were holding up during the tour with no signs of being tired on the road. They performed each song just as energized as the next while the crowd packed in the venue. Gabe, lead singer of American Fangs, got the New Orleans crowd pumped while singing the lyrics, "You've got a great life," and hanging onto stage equipment, while Kenyon, Jerry, Kyle, and Miccah equally jammed out on their gear.

At the end of each set, Kenyon video records the crowds reaction into his cell phone to document the Fangs tour experience.

The crowd continued to jam as the three piece Brooklyn rock band, Earl Greyhound, started to perform with their sultry 80s sound. Over at the merch table, people purchased their t-shirt with the slogan, "Rock the Faces, Mix the Races," over a silhouette of singer and bass player, Kamara, drummer, Ricc, and singer and guitarists, Matt. "The concept of our band is to be multidimensional and represent the beauty of humanity," Kamara said. "We want people to enjoy our music, but also feel the positive and humble energy we are putting out," she said.

CX and Tchaka took over the New Orleans crowd with their rendition to 60s song, "Shout!" The crowd jumped up and joined Krak Attack on stage, singing along with their every word.

As the show continued, our New Orleans connection Dorian got a chance to meet with Saul Williams and explained to him her mission to create an Afro-punk cabaret group. After her explanation, she was invited by Saul to dance in costume during his set.

See, dreams do come true.

Dorian and Saul backstage along with Dorian in her full cabaret costume. Also, Saul performing for the audience as Dorian rocks out and dances on stage. "This was like something out of a time warp," Dorian said. "I couldn't believe Saul let me perform with him," she said. "His music represents everything that I believe in."

After Dorian's performance, Saul (transitioned into Niggy Tardust) and his band, took over the stage with their two hour long set, leaving the crowd begging for more. The energy in the House of Blues as Saul transitioned from poetry to his rugged rock sound, had the crowd captivated the whole night.

New Orleans, you guys know how to party! Thanks for tearing The House of Blues down with Afro-punk and we hope to party again soon! Next stop, Boulder, Colorado.

-Whitney Summer Boyd