June 7, 2007 21:13

Members of The Decemberists bring folk-rock to Club NME LA

Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble led by a six-foot gorilla

Chris Funk and Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists delivered a unique performance with their side-project band, Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble, at Club NME Los Angeles with Fred Perry Subculture last night (June 6).

The six-piece band swapped a wide array of instruments including banjos, horns, dulcimers, xylophones and violins during their set, which was conducted by a six-foot gorilla.

"This is Sebastian the animatronic gorilla," Funk told the audience. "He's fueled by Patron tequila."

The band performed distinctive instrumental covers of songs by Massive Attack and Lindsey Buckingham during their set, as well as a couple of experimental extended jams that alternated between spacey and folky.

"This is our farewell tour, and our gorilla Sebastian is looking for a new gig," quipped Funk before saying goodnight.

After the show, Funk told NME.COM his inspiration for forming the band. "I moved into a house in Portland and found out that a lot of my neighbours were closet musicians, so we put this band together and took the show on the road," he said.

"We're happy to be here at Club NME to turn the Brits around and show them what's up," he joked.

Club NME with Fred Perry takes place at Spaceland in the Silver Lake neighbourhood of Los Angeles every Wednesday night.

For more information, visit Myspace.com/clubnmela.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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