Live Review: Shout Out Out Out Out At The Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver

It was a cold Friday night in the Main and Hastings area where many kids looking for a good time gathered at the fabulous Rickshaw Theatre ; a relatively new and much needed venue in Vancouver. The acoustics, friendly staff and fabulous management make any show seen there scrapbook / journal material. On the night’s bill was Edmonton’s dance-electro super-group Shout Out Out Out Out reppin' the 7-8-0 and supporting their most recent release Reintegration Time.

The evening began with Real Fake Diamonds, who were playing only their 5^th show ever. They got the crowd going with their synth-pop beats, and impressive dance moves. Two of Real Fake Diamonds' three members are also members of Shout Out; one was sporting a TMPD shirt, a great Toronto band (on YYZ Records) who supported Shout Out on some of their recent shows back east. It is safe to say that Real Fake Diamonds sufficiently stimulated the crowd for what was to come.

The stage looked like the set of a 1950’s science fiction movie, with machines full of knobs and buttons. But instead of turning a man into a fly-human hybrid, Shout Out’s machines were made for making people dance. Shout Out hit the stage in a flurry of flashing lights, electro beats, high kicks, furry hats, friendly middle fingers and enough cowbells to satisfy Christopher Walken. It was easy to see that Shout Out were masters of their machines, and the craft of creating energy.

For close to 2 hours Shout Out took the crowd on a roller coaster ride full of suspenseful climbs, building potential energy and then releasing that energy in exhilarating dips and turns with their 3 synth, 2 bass (at times) and 2 drum set-up. The transfer from potential to kinetic energies was easily observed in the crowd’s collective shaking of asses. Yes ladies and gentlemen this was not your average thigh-slapping, toe-tapping, head-nodding show. If you had the pleasure of being at the Rickshaw Friday night, you were rocking out in anyway you saw fit, leaving a generous amount of perspiration on the theatre floor. Those in the crowd who didn’t consider themselves fans of electro-dance music before the show were quickly converted.

After Shout Out’s 15 minute encore, the kids spilled onto East Hastings street and floated home with dance beats now ingrained in their minds. Their first order of business was to procure the music that had just moved them, well maybe after they inhaled some of Uncle Fatih’s Pizza. According to their myspace Shout Out has no upcoming shows, but if in the future you get the chance to see them do not pass it up and if the spirit moves you, pick up their records. Also if you find yourself in Vancouver, check out a show at The Rickshaw.