Bringing new life to the high mark that is 'Wild Type Droid' in awe-inspiring fashion.
All Photographs by Ekaterina Gorbacheva (@ekaterinagorbacheva.art) at
The Regent Theatre in Los Angeles on July 8, 2022:
With Beeple's record-breaking NFT introducing its world of hypnotic instrumentation, Failure's Wild Type Droid (2021) came forth as an ambitious being that showed for the iconic trio's contemporary strengths. The band recently concluded a month long North American trek in celebration of the new material with a hometown show at The Regent Theatre in Los Angeles, which we had the privilege of covering. There was no extensive list of openers or unnecessary gimmicks, just an evening of immersive music with a band who built off of another's persona on stage.
Ken Andrews (vocals, guitar, bass, programming), Greg Edwards (vocals, guitar, bass, keys), and Kellii Scott (drums, percussion) are remain as joyous as the energy that fueled the band's creation in the early ‘90s. What began with a sneak peek at their forthcoming documentary transitioned into the rumbling Submarines – a hell of a start to this spectacle.
Beneath somber blue lights and transitioning imagery projected behind them, Failure define what it is to be organic in every sense of the word. The songs, though defined in their studio versions, exist anew on stage and new elements flourish through the eyes and mind of each respective band member. Staples, such as Mercury Mouth, Wonderful Life, Atom City Queen, and Counterfeit Sky, radiated through the Regent's great acoustics and were met by swaying heads throughout – a sure sign of a great time. Just look at Kellii Scott's smile below and you'll see that it wasn't just the fans enjoying the festivities.
Failure abide by no conventions and perform as fluid as water, allowing their own expertise and musical tendencies to inject themselves into the formula. Force Fed Rainbow, Bring Back the Sound, and Bad Translation and more showed for it and were played with excellence. As Headstand came about, it was clear that the night's Failure performance was no one way street. There was a reciprocal relationship between the band and those in attendance, resulting in an electrifying atmosphere that was severely missed during the absence of shows in recent years. Yin Shian Ng's tour posters are certainly something I regret missing in remembrance of the show.
Though Headstand would be the apparent closer, the band came back out for quite a hefty encore that included Segue 3, The Nurse Who Loved Me, and the final track, Daylight, each of which provided a thrill and ethereal soundscape that few like Failure have excelled at. From Andrews' menacing riffs on Submarines to Kellii's vibrant groove and Edwards' intentional approach to crafting astral environments, The Regent was treated to a standout performance that further cements Failure in the upper echelon they've remained in over the years, despite the years of inactivity.
Failure deliver not a performance, but an experience, one that prefaced their forthcoming documentary while letting Wild Type Droid expand upon the many wondrous qualities that unfold with each passing listen. Beyond the latest record itself, the extensive setlist was a celebration of the band's revered discography – a discography that many hold in high regard for its influential scope. Failure may have concluded the run of shows, but Wild Type Droid and its exquisite predecessors continues to astound and unfold new layers to the thousands basking in its glory on a daily basis. Let it be known that Failure have yet to settle and much more awaits the trio.
Enjoy a photo gallery of the performance below and stream/order Wild Type Droid.
