The Durgas at ELLÁTÓház – November 25th, 7pm
THE BAND: World-spanning influences and good vibes fill every tune played by the Durgas, an international ensemble led by brothers Benji and Christopher Simmersbach – the children of hippies who raised their family in far-flung locales ranging from Germany to Thailand, Tanzania to Portugal, Mali to the USA, and beyond. During this peripatetic upbringing, the boys learned myriad musical styles that led to founding roles in A Subtle Plague (called “the Grateful Dead of the ’90s” by Germany’s Rolling Stone), sharing the stage with Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Sonic Youth amid their long, strange trip. Still touring the planet since 2004 as the Durgas, Benji and Christopher now join Hungarian drummer Gábor Török and American bassist Katy J. Arnovick to infuse rock with reggae, blues, African and Eastern European folk music, Americana and other genres, creating uniquely groovy melodies.
THE VENUE: The (big) little sister of Budapest’s legendary Ellátó Kert ruin pub opened a few years ago in a renovated apartment building of downtown’s Jewish Quarter, and now ELLÁTÓház has a crowd of regulars all its own thanks to its great lineup of laid-back live music and a huge courtyard that is mostly tented and heated all winter long. The same building also hosts the The Hive party hostel – essentially guaranteeing a flock of fun-seekers here anytime – and generously poured drinks beckon guests for “just one more” at the ELLÁTÓház bar, which also serves Ellátó Kert’s signature shot, the Pinky.
THE SHOW: Budapest is a home base for the Durgas, so don’t be late to this concert closing out the band’s latest European tour, because the dance floor will fill up fast with the band’s ever-faithful fans; rumor has it that the group will play some new material this weekend. After the show, DJ Lapidem takes the stage to host his Milkshake party, blending 31 flavors of delicious music. Check out the ELLÁTÓház Facebook page for more details.
