 "Photo: Courtesy of Erik Pepple")
For the most part, the Boredoms seem like little more than an urban legend. Contrary to the time-tested music tradition of shameless self-promotion, the band is rarely interviewed, scarcely seen and many of its albums are difficult to come by.
The group, however, seems to thrive in relative obscurity. The larger-than-life reputation and notorious stage antics of the band members have made the Boredoms underground icons and propelled them to legendary status among their many fans around the world.
The Boredoms rarely make appearances outside of their native Japan, but will be returning to the U.S. for a short, five-show summer tour, including a stop at the Wexner Center for the Arts at 9 p.m. tonight.
"The Boredoms' show is one of the highlights of our Next @ Wex series of indie-rock performances," said Erik Pepple, spokesman for the Wexner Center. "Their music plays out like a cross between punk and fuzzed-out experimentalism and has influenced everyone from Sonic Youth to Nirvana and Boris."
The Boredoms' ever-evolving line-up will feature co-founder and lead vocalist, Yamatsuka Eye, drummers Yoshimi and Yojiro and the most recent addition to the band, Muneomi Senju.
Widely referred to as "noise-rock," the highly experimental foursome describe their own sound as "pounding percussion and radiant neo-folk synth flourishes, where concentric circles of repetition are the structure from which their instruments explode spontaneously."
The Boredoms have been compared to bands such as the Butthole Surfers and Sun Ra's Arkestra. They feature a psychedelic, progressive mix of distorted guitars, synthesizers and electronic effects driven by dizzying, percussive rhythms.
At the height of their popularity in the '90s, the Boredoms were signed to major labels in both the U.S. and Japan. They toured the West Coast, opening for Seattle super-groups such as Sonic Youth and Nirvana, and eventually performed on the main stage during the Lollapalooza tour in 1994.
The Boredoms' live show has been described as avant-garde, outrageous and intense. Frontman Yamatsuka Eye is unpredictable and uncensored, notorious for his wild antics and passionate performances.
During the show, traditional arrangements are rejected in favor of sudden and frequent shifts in tempo, style and mood, making for an audible and visual performance unlike any other.
"I saw them in San Francisco a year ago, and Eye had some crazy light ball in his hand, hooked up to his synths and was making all kinds of crazy far out sounds," said California fan Starry Blake.
The band will be playing a variety of tunes from its extensive catalog, including music from its most recent album, "Seadrum/House of Sun," released on Vice Records in 2005. The experimental album was edited from past recordings spanning several years, and consists of two extended tracks, almost 20 minutes long.
The multi-talented Doug McCombs of Tortoise will be opening the standing-room-only show with special guest, David Daniell. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Wexner Center's ticket office.
More information can be found at the Wexner Center's Web site at wexarts.org.
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