Oneida
Live @ Circolo degli Artisti, Roma 22.05.2005

Seeing them, you wouldn't expect it. They have a calm, composed, nerdy demeanor. Fat Bobby (or Bobby Matador) looks like a computer expert, Baby Jane (or Hanoi Jane) has a chubby-cheeked smile, and Kid Millions only lacks some tape to hold his glasses together. Then they get on stage. They set up their instruments themselves. They retreat backstage for a couple of minutes (where I know two liters of red wine are waiting for them). And then they return to the stage. They shake you. They hypnotize you. They captivate you.
Baby Jane moves fluidly between bass and guitar and starts sweating even before starting to play. Fat Bobby (who is not fat) hits the keys (the organ?) with infinite ferocity. But the show is behind the drums: his glasses fly off and an animalistic spirit takes hold of Kid Millions. They kick off with Each One Teach One in a long and delirious extended version. Ten minutes of hypnotic ride. The journey through their discography begins: Secret Wars (Capt Bo, Caesar's Column, $50 Tea), the brand new The Wedding (Did I Die that hits like few others and Lavender), the EPs (Summerland, Privilege). There's also People of the North in the psychedelic guise it has in Anthem of the Moon, instead of the acidic version of Each One Teach One.

A dozen tracks that stretch and morph, extending into an orgasmic crescendo. They play Up W/ People, the last (and unreleased) track on the setlist, amidst the protests of the crowd that wants more. Applause and cheers bring them back for an encore. Baby Jane slyly announces, "This song is by Oneida, not the Grateful Dead," and they launch into Snow Machine. They say goodbye and thank Rome once again but Rome hasn't had enough. Amidst loud calls, they return and fulfill the dream of many: you've got to look into the light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light light…

Sheets of Easter exhausts them. After almost ten minutes of "light light light…" they couldn't play another track even under armed threat. But Rome is now satisfied. It looks into the light and hopes that Oneida won't break their promise to return next year.