Tarantula AD Joe’s Pub Nov 1st, 2005 Written and Photographed by Evan Sung

Honestly, when is the last time the sight of a cello made you want to throw finger-horns and wish you had a tongue as long as Gene Simmons’? Tarantula AD rises from pre-lapsarian darkness shepherding an unholy admixture of classical ability and the headbanging power of hair metal. The spawn of this union was recently sprung upon the world at Joe’s Pub of all places.

Normally a refuge for the downtown, urbane chic, this evening, the stage at Joe’s Pub had been overrun by Cretaceous flora. One half expected to see a pterodactyl sweep down from the soundboard area. But it was the perfect setting for the launch of “Book of Sand,” Tarantula AD’s first full-length album. Gaining notoriety recently for the company they keep with Devendra Banheart and his circle of eclectics, Tarantula AD stunned audiences at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon, opening for psychedelic rockers Dungen. The appeal seems easy enough to grasp: three guys, one cello, one double-necked axe, a drum set and enough hair and headbands and torn tees to go around. The music too, can seem like a simple gimmick at first: the collision of the classical with hard rocking power chords and drum solos. But not only are the sounds seamlessly interwoven, they also lead the way into greater complexities and musical inspirations. From Eastern European folk music strains and lullaby refrains, Tarantula AD turns out an eclectic musical hybrid that stands out in the current rock music scene and truly defies categorization.

Tarantula is led by Gregory Rogove on the drums, who, this evening, strolled on stage in a white furry Flinstones-era vest, straight out of Bam-bam’s wardrobe, and handled most of the banter duties. Saunder Jurrians wielded the signature double-necked blood-red guitar, nicknamed the “Evil Twins” with apocalyptic vigor. And Danny Bensi on cello and keyboards practically set his bow on fire several times. The intensity of the band’s music was charmingly off-set by their soft-spoken, self-effacing manner, whether describing the travails of a summer cross-country tour in a rundown van with no air-conditioning, or receiving the audience’s applause with genuine appreciation.

Tarantula AD is like nothing you’ve ever heard, and if you get the chance to see them live, do yourself a favor, hop on your brontosaurus and brace yourself for some serious rock.