Throbbing Gristle at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple

From right: Chris Carter, Sleazy, Genesis P-Orridge, Cosi Fanni Tutti

I was lucky enough to see the seminal industrial band Throbbing Gristle last night. I’ve been a fan since high school and, because all the members are mostly dedicated to current projects like PTV3, Chris & Cosey/CarterTutti, and the Threshold Houseboys Choir, I never really thought I’d get to see all four TG members gristle-ize it on the stage together.But all that changed last night at a show at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Fort Greene.

A band like TG, known for defying every expectation in its initial run from 1975 to 1981, is going to have a hard time living up to that reputation. Additionally, in the late ’70s TG was innovating relentlessly, seeming to produce or inspire whole genres with every note they played. Again, that’s a hard—or even an impossible—act to follow.

I tried not to come in with impossible expectations and just listen to the music. The four members of the band seemed to be thinking the same thing, as they avoided the kind of bizarre performance antics they were once known for and seemed to listen carefully to the sound of their instruments and each other. Singer Genesis P-Orridge put a huge amount of energy into every song, stretching that cynical yet cosmic voice like taffy in old songs like “What a Day,” “Hamburger Lady,” and “Something Came Over Me.” That last one was a special treat to me as it’s a little obscure and one of my favorites. Meanwhile, Cosey hammered out abstract guitar grit with a slide, while Carter and Sleazy—in an oversize leopard-print robe—sat at a table full of implacable electronics.

The music sounded good but it was a little confusing that the bouncers came in and stopped people every time they started moving around. The combination of wild music and aggressive policing was a little hard to take—especially when one guy who was bouncing around in an obnoxious but harmless manner was literally carried out the door.

The Emeralds’ opening set was a treat as well. The three members of the group played a single long analog jam rich in grit, deep sawtooth drones, and sparkling processed vocals.