Boris celebrate 25th Anniversary of Amplifier Worship

Tonight, would be a special event for fans of the Japanese experimental band, Boris. They were in Seattle celebrating the 25th year anniversary of their second record, Amplifier Worship, playing it in its entirety. The band formed in Tokyo in 1992 and consists of vocalist/drummer Atsuo, guitarist/bassist Takeshi, and guitarist/keyboardist Wata. The Showbox at the Market filled up early to catch their opener Starcrawler.

Starcrawler formed in 2015 and is currently lead singer Arrow de Wilde, guitarist Henri Cash, bassist Tim Franco, drummer Seth Carolina, and pedal steel/guitar player Bill Cash. The band was ready to show us how it’s done from the minute they took the stage. Reminiscent of an old school rock band attracting theatrics and antics of similar behavior. De Wilde went into the pit a few times, one of them throwing water into the crowd.

De Wilde is constantly moving around trying to engage the crowd giving it her all in her boxing shoes. It’s no hyperbole that Arrow is meant to front the show as she theatrically displays her talent. The band’s theme seems to be pink as most pieces of equipment on stage are that along with parts of their clothes. Cash is wearing pink pants and cowboy boots matching de Wilde’s intensity level every step of the way.  Their chemistry is so palpable, you can feel it in the whole room. This is a band you should definitely experience live.

After a quick set change it was time for Boris to take the floor. After a lot of work from the fog machine members appeared taking their place onstage. Boris has released more than 20 studio albums on various labels around the world and display their experience and talent in every note they play.

There were two drum kits facing each other on stage as Atsuo would switch between fronting the band and sitting to play the drums. Wata also changed between the guitar and keyboard wearing a red dress standing out from the rest of the black wearing band. There was a Kermit the Frog sitting on Wata‘s keyboard, a figure they use often as their mascot. A version of a green female frog is also on the cover of the record supporting this tour, Amplifier Worship Service 2024. The mystery and the dark sound pull your attention in, and it focuses on what will happen next. The fog continued to be an element in the show throughout the night adding to the mood. 

Highlights included “Ganbouki,” “Kuruimizu,” “Vomitself,” and encore track, “Loveless.”