A couple weeks back I trekked out to the Red Rooster to catch Chicago's Fugu Dugu who were billed as gypsy folk rock or some such thing. Opening was Alfonso Ponticelli, a gypsy jazz guitarist. Or something like that.
Ponticelli was accompanied by a couple members of Fugu Dugu: Madam Broshkina on violin and their bassist whose name I cannot find. I bought their album at the show but methinks he's new.
Think Django Reinhardt and that gets you in the ballpark. Ponticelli's fingers worked magic as he went from slower, mellower passages to shredding. If I recall correctly, his set was mostly originals with a cover or two thrown in.
When his opening set was done, Fugu Dugu got their gear together and patrons filled the remaining open seats.
Fugu Dugu began by playing a trio of songs from their first album, Lunatic Parade, followed by three new ones that are set to be on their next album. The band are reminiscent of Gogol Bordello and, for any Madisonians reading this, the late lamented Reptile Palace Orchestra. Indeed, I suspect that the group of people dancing in a circle in front of the stage did so at many an RPO performance.
As with Ponticelli, Fugu Dugu displayed great dynamics going from softer passages with aching violin to manic dance music. Madam Broshkina was the front woman and she displayed a great droll sense of humor and, hailing from Moldova, gave the occasional brief cultural lecture.
I hope to see Ponticelli and Fugu Dugu again.
Sadly, it will likely not be at Red Rooster as the venue's liquor license was not renewed. What a shame. It's a great, intimate venue and, being off the beaten path, attracts an older audience, which I appreciate. But it appears that the owner is guilty of mismanagement. Hopefully a new owner steps in or something else happens to save the place.
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