Another AMAZING Trio from Taiwan! Elephant Gym 'Finger' | Rock Musician Reacts

[@keithsowerby8179]

Taiwan, along with Singapore is something of an international springboard for Japanese musicians and vice versa. Elephant Gym share that Math Rock core with a light touch - a pop sensibility- with JYOCHO, tricot and toe. If anything there is more of a jazz edge with Elephant Gym than with the others

[@ral8452]

I have been following them for years-amazing bass player

[@MaartenT]

The guitarist also plays the piano on some of their songs, I believe even in this set and certarinly on their latest album. I don't know them well, but I did buy their latest album after a reaction by Ryan Mear an while ago. It's not something I listen to constantly, but it's really good and I actually want to get some of their earlier stuff as well to see if they have changed a lot. The newest one is very jazzy, which I have no problem with but while I really like jazz it's not something I am always in the mood for. I already knew about them before Ryan's reaction because of tricot and a sampler CD I got by the Western record Topshelf Records. They released some of tricot's and Elephant Gym's records and Elephatn Gym and tricot were on that sampler (that I have 2 copies of now after buying a toe album from them). And just like tricot, Elephant Gym also has done the audiotree live set (as shown in this video). Both sets are amazing. I have been on a tricot kick the last 6 to 9 months, but I have also discovered some other math rock bands from Japan like toe, Paranoid Void and Jyocho and I highly recommend checking them out. I have also just ordered an album by a band called "Lite", but I have not clue how they sound yet. It's supposed to be Math Rock/Post-Rock as well. The bands that Keith Sowerby mentioned are Math Rock but a lot of their songs are still pretty digestible and some of them are actually even suited to relax to.

[@stephenlu7779]

You listen to the bands I listen to as well, haha. One more musician/band you may like, also math rock, is Yvette Young with her band Covet. She does solo work as well as with the band. Also a guitar-bass-drums trio.

[@MaartenT]

@@stephenlu7779 Thanks for the recommendation, but I recently bought the albums I could get from Covet (which is the first one and the new one, which hasn't arrived yet). Funny fact, the version that a Western shop sent me of the first album was the Japanese version because the Western versions seem to be out of print, which is why I can't find their second album. I also got the audiotree live one. I have only listened to both once though. It seems a little less for me on first listen, but I still enjoyed them and I'm sure they will grow on me more. I also already was subbed to Yvette Young's yt channel I think because of a collab video back in the day, but probably didn't give it enough time to check it out properly. I have only been diving into the more Math Rock and Post-Rock side for the last couple of months and am discovering it as I go. It all started with discovering tricot 9 months or so ago (after really not liking them the first time I heard them). I became somewhat obsessed with listening to them about half a year ago. Yesterday my order of the Lite album arrived as well as the latest Paranoid Void album, an old Gacharic Spin single (which doesn't fit with these bands) and 2 Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs albums (which I don't think fits with these). I only seen one or two reactions to Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs and it was a while ago, so I don't really remember how they sounded. Let's just say I tried to come out of my comfort zone by jumping into genres I know almost nothing about (I knew a couple Post-Rock bands but not a lot) and I enjoyed most of what I have heard. I find it fascinating that toe can write music that is complex while still being relaxing for example.

[@roberthutfless1750]

Just now saw this review. Nice work. Saw them earlier this year in Seattle. Ben a fan for year's. Same bass as Missa. Big band maid fan. Think I saw you in line at the Neptune

[@ardyzink7928]

Math Music. You just discovered them? They are (were) fantastic. Dig through their videos. You will not be disappointed. It's a shame they're gone. When the bassist goes into her zone ... stand back.

[@raddofzennla]

Are you talking about Elephant Gym? Pretty sure they’re still around. I haven’t heard anything about them disbanding.

[@DragonPhlyy]

Yeah Elephant Gym still together for sure.

[@stephenlu7779]

Elephant Gym is still together. They kind of took a year-long break 2020-2021, but they've been active recently. They were at this year's SXSW.

[@ardyzink7928]

@@stephenlu7779 I believe that all 3 of them satisfied their military requirements then?

[@rcavellanosa1600]

BASS TAPPING, HAMMER ONS SLIDES, PULL-OFFS

[@ral8452]

they were on KEXP also

[@stephenlu7779]

They were at this year's and last year's SXSW.

[@stephenlu7779]

One of my other go-to music, aside from Lovebites and other bands like Tricot and Covet. :) I like their newer music (from the last 2, 3 LPs) compared to their older materials. I think better compositions and arrangements, more fusion and jazzier sound, and collabing with other artists also give their music some variety. Older materials were still good, just not as polished, I think.

[@jimmorrisonisamaidiac]

Groovin’. The reason “jam bands” are a thing .

[@金曲獎-w9o]

Major in body bear Is another Taiwan band playing math rock. There’re also sick same as elephant gym. You should listen their music

[@zainishapiei6388]

Great wave... Nice music react.. I like it

[@racebiketuner]

I like it!

[@summeronio9751]

TTNG and Covet had a baby

[@buccanero]

Is she the Hal-Ca of bass guitar?