Concert Review: Operators Revive The Ghost In The Shell At Rough Trade NYC

Operators played Rough Trade NYC, and gave a show that left me in awe. Playing to the original, anime film Ghost In The Shell as they rocked their debut album, Blue Wave, Operators gave a concert that was raving in social and synthetic commentary. Thus, anyone who goes to an Operators concert can expect great music, but also a thoughtful performance.

To give some background, Ghost In The Shell is about Major Motoko Kusanagi; a cyborg whom, after a horrible accident, has her brain and body “cyberized” to survive. Hence, she is, literally, a ghost in a shell; open, now, to hacks by those that wish to control her super-powerful body and mind, but also a fierce warrior against them. As you see the manga film play in silence, with subtitles, the images leap in emotionality through Operators’ music. Suddenly, you do not need to hear Major’s fear or frustration because it is being carried in the voice and chords of lead singer/guitarist Dan Boeckner. His manic guitar play and keyboard riffing is stark contrast to his rather sweet, “Woodstock” demeanor. He can go from tussling and tossing around with his guitar as if it is a villain he must “put down” to discussing how he hated his “garbage” hometown and some of the more “influenced” experiences he has had in New York. In addition, I loved that after every song, even if he had swished around and gutted through his alienated feelings/ lyrics, he smiled and said, “Thank you”. It made you wonder who is this guy who can become the voice of social outcasts, but also the friendliest human being you have ever met. I was deeply moved by how he came out and hugged the opening act, Charly Bliss, after they finished playing, and helped them get their gear out. I have never seen that altruism before, and it did not take away from his epic entrance. Thus, in some ways, it was the sentimental “up and down” of his nature that played so well with the film behind him.

Ghost In The Shell was a phenomenal choice to make Operators electro-infused music build its virtuous themes/ virtual world. This film is about rediscovering humanity in the face of so much dystopia and artifice, which is the central dilemma of Blue Wave. From “Control” to “Cold Light”, each song feels like it is a voice, calling through a dark hole, asking “Is anyone alive?”. Thus, now that I think of it, Boeckner’s kindness does have the merit to ask this question. With vocals that sound like raw, flesh wounds eager to heal, he appears like a man that gives his heart every-time to every-one, but, unfortunately, like Major, is open to a few hacks. When you are open to the world, it does not mean it is open to you, and part of the nightmare scenario of dystopia is that it is a dilapidated universe constructed by human apathy. As Operators’ machine pressed rhythms and digitized beats stomped through the Rough Trade atmosphere and stamped into its listeners’ minds, we all were a batch of human beings questioning how “cyberized” we have become. For More Information On Operators Click Here.