Battles | Boiler Room London: Battles & Black Midi

[@matthewgrant8915]

3:04 John adjusting his snare and fixing it without missing a beat. He is just a machine. What a talented drummer.

[@JackPeloquin]

He left helmet. Who are dope! This is waaaaay different. I’m glad he’s stuck with it. This shits a trip.

[@willszabo8157]

So True

[@skel3370r]

I hate when the snare drifts off into Neverland

[@BakeHarn]

it's sad for the people who only know Ian Williams from this band might not ever hear his brilliance in Don Caballero and Storm & Stress! Dude is just a different kind of guitarist. A true innovator and inspiration! 2 geniuses right here!

[@thesierrasillustrator5130]

Definitely. I had just missed seeing Ian in Don Caballero right after Gene took over in 2003. As a drummer myself, I cannot wait till I FINALLY see John live. Been following him since Helmet when I was in high school in the 90's. If I can ever witness BATTLES live, it will be a Bucket List moment for sure.

[@BakeHarn]

@@thesierrasillustrator5130 ooooo WOW. Been fortunate to see Battles 3 times! And 2 of the times Ian and I talked for over an hour backstage. Such an incredible moment to speak to my biggest influence on guitar! But if you haven't seen battles....you're in for a BANGER SHOW!!!! Like I can emphasize that enough!!

[@lilskuzzy]

DIDNT KNOW HE WAS IN DON CAB THANK YOU

[@thegrimmfluencer]

Don Caballero were killer. I have a couple their albums, been a while since I spun them. Cheers for reminding me!!

[@thegrimmfluencer]

@@lilskuzzy SAME HERE!!

[@neuron05]

This is one of the best drummers that ever walked this earth.

[@MikeGiraldo]

Yes he is!

[@mach489i]

He is an exceptional drummer but to say he is the best is a stretch. I would however class him as one of the sweatiest drummer in the world

[@mattpryokra2245]

*Gavin Harrison slowly snubbing and laughing at this comment*

[@neuron05]

@@mattpryokra2245 Yes you comment was a bit weird.

[@rowanjones7523]

@@mattpryokra2245 Buddy Rich wants to know who this Gavin chap is. 🤔

[@sacredinferno2112]

Can we all just take a minute for the sound of that snare.

[@mattjohnson1953]

I can only dream of such a snare

[@longhorn2615]

Sounds similar to the Betty sound

[@peterfleming1517]

Stanier is an absolute monster

[@grisha4167]

the drummer absolutely killing it, such a charismatic sweating

[@blvkopvl5979]

NO ONE plays tha guitar like that. Makes me wanna cry tears of joy how much these cats have evolved with their sound too. Pure creativity. No pretense.

[@jdawe390]

Hats off to the audio engineers for this recording it sounds incredible. One of the best Battles live performances I've ever seen, and one of the best iterations of Atlas I've heard! Shame they lost Dave but these guys are super tight as a duo and I'm so happy to see their sound and performance has not suffered

[@hERDoFBAND]

Totally agree with this. I was concerned when I figured Dave had left. But then I was just excited to see what Ian would do with the room. It's fantastic.

[@StonepostInstitute]

J Dawe do you know what happened to Dave??

[@JT-ss6si]

Dave is the bald headed dude that sings on Titanium 2 step right?

[@bentimmons3363]

@@JT-ss6si no, you're thinking of Sal Principato, just a guest on Titanium 2 step. "Dave" they're referring to is Dave Konopka (guitar&bass) who was with them from 2002 until 2017/2018

[@JT-ss6si]

@@bentimmons3363 OH! Yea i watched them live on YT of course, and he was in the room with them, somewhere in NY i think.

[@PhaktTheIsolationist]

Did not expect them to do The Yabba. Stanier is godlike.

[@sashax33]

Me either. I assumed it wouldn't be the same as a two piece, but they really killed it. Lesson learned: never doubt Battles

[@mot00rzysta]

the "struggle" with pads at 22:52 is just beautiful and very inspiring. John is an amazing drummer.

[@mitchclark1532]

Great

[@ahmetcangokceer]

they were almost gonna be called "struggles"

[@vorsybl]

This live set of Ft Greene Park is really addictive.

[@emanuellopez8578]

They're incredible musicians, this performance is a treasure

[@xandercar]

0:00: Fort Greene Park 5:45: A Loop So Nice... 9:23: They Played It Twice 12:45: Titanium 2 Step 16:26: ?? 18:14: The Yabba 22:52: ?? 24:16: Sugar Foot 29:35: Summer Simmer 31:10: Ice Cream 35:05: ?? 36:25: Atlas 43:13: ?? 44:13: Ambulance (I believe the "??" are just interludes or little jams between songs. sorry not too sure.)

[@swingAE86]

29:35 is summer simmer

[@xandercar]

@@swingAE86 thank you. this one was really bugging me because i knew i had heard it before

[@nerve_central]

The Yabba starts at 17:22!

[@Tourismcommittee]

i think the little jam thingy before atlas is juice b crypts

[@hatez443]

I only listen to Atlas and The Yabba those two are Amazing

[@stjhnn8592]

haha, love it how Stanier is crushing the high cymbal until the guy's head almost explodes :D

[@MrJustjuiced]

Battles...the music I want to make,but that requires a masters level in abilities I will never have. I thank these artists for making it.

[@toniyo3]

They weren't masters always. Be patient and believe in yourself.

[@greyemrednus]

They may be masters at their craft, but not one is perfect. You may not be able to make exactly their music, but you can make the music you want like them, just not if you suffocate that wish only because you can't be exactly them.

[@willybumbum507]

It’s like me I want to make sic electronic but I don’t think I have the skills it blows my mind how these guys make music just insane

[@dinosaurhotline]

@@toniyo3 spot on.

[@kameraboi]

They litteraly just compose and play the music, it’s not as difficult as you think, save your money and do it

[@Rosalina102798]

The fact that they still sound fresh and unlike any other rock band out there, whether in the realms of experimental, indie or progressive rock, is testament to their longevity as a band compared to most indie groups that later fizzled out a few years down the road.

[@gamble777888]

A lot of "pretenders" in that era just acapitalizing on the popularity of certain sounds and styles of the time with zero creativity and mediocre talent. Battles ain't that.

[@1983toInfinity]

@@gamble777888 For real, didn't see those groups as such then.. but when they made later albums and it fizzled or they tried another style and it felt like a facsimile of said style.. almost as if they were chasing vibes rather than creating them.

[@Somasteel]

HERE HERE! AND NOW..DECEMBER 21ST 12:45 EST 2022 YUP FRESHER THAN DEAD SEA TUPPERWARE LOVE TO SEE THEM JAM & EXPERIMENT WITH MOUNT KIMBIE

[@starshineraiser6729]

They just get better and better. I’ve also been listening to Don Cab a lot lately. Ian is nothing short of mind blowing.

[@fastfaps]

Nice to see someone who appreciate the don!

[@michaelseal6738]

When I heard that the third guy quit I thought to myself “They should probably stop.” I can’t believe how wrong I was on that. This is arguably cooler than anything since the first record? I’m IMPRESSED AND I STAND CORRECTED.

[@michaelseal6738]

I literally can’t fathom how he figured out how to make this work

[@Chicodreams]

absolute chads with the arm crossing

[@curtl6906]

This is the best thing I've heard since Fugazi.

[@lfmontag]

You got a point haha

[@blvkopvl5979]

stanier: cracks open a cold one after a grueling sweaty set crowd: cheers

[@chromecodec]

my favourite part is when john takes off the snare mute

[@vinceventura2393]

Then we have that sick Helmet-Betty-Ping-Sound

[@topstep]

I could watch videos every day of these guys playing live. I have no idea how they pull any of this off. One of a kind. Incredible.

[@ErikDeejaySessionsSundquist]

Original drummer from Helmet so yeah dude is a beast

[@Ltcoombs1]

Really? As soon as he started playing I could hear rock influences, sick drummer

[@gadamatwood]

John Stanier is the best.

[@Finsami71]

Yep, but still .. this is a bit weird stuff hmm let's say more hipster -friendly than Helmet was.

[@perconzzz]

You mean the drummer from 12 Rods? Yeah...

[@redmint4894]

Tomahawk, too.

[@collision1974]

What a live opening!!!! Stanier has always been an amazing drummer.

[@jeremysdrumming4474]

Battles rules! John is unbelievable! 😍

[@Red1Eyed3Devil]

"They played it Twice" is like live DnB, John is an incredible drummer!

[@llav3-d7j]

0:00: Fort Greene Park 5:45: A Loop So Nice... 9:23: They Played It Twice 12:45: Titanium 2 Step 16:26: ?? 18:14: The Yabba 22:52: ?? 24:16: Sugar Foot 29:35: Summer Simmer 31:10: Ice Cream 35:05: ?? 36:25: Atlas 43:13: ?? 44:13: Ambulance

[@0412lennon]

It’s hard to be a two piece band when you were once a three piece band. It still works but that riffing bass definitely complimented their overall sound.

[@edtr8434]

It’s hard to be a two piece when you were once a four piece haha

[@AaronKaiMCDNLD]

I love how the more members dissappear from the lineup, the more Atlas became minimalistic af.

[@jolemite2639]

Gyat-Dayum! That kick and snare sounds so damn good! Sounds like the same snare he used in most of Helmets recordings. Besides his badass ability it's one of the things that helps me recognize him instantly when I hear him.

[@jdixon390]

Was very thankful to see Battles this past week and managed to meet them both after! They only get better over time.

[@willszabo8157]

This is how you do music. Ive been a fan for years but its great to see them sticking out. Thanks Boiler Room for putting this on.

[@tylerbosworth4513]

John plays like an actual fucking drum machine

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

Most of the synth parts are sequenced so there is little choice to do otherwise. Good thing he puts power, originality and creativity into it.

[@kozmotopia]

Mad kudos to the Sound engineers man. Drums sound perfect!

[@adriel68]

that crash cymbal needs to be higher

[@whagaman]

That thing's in the stratosphere

[@ethansawyer9399]

The hat could go up a bit as well

[@patrickmchugh4616]

I think in an interview John said he likes to put the crash really far from his reach so he doesn't overly rely on it.

[@thomasrainbow]

I was always surprised he never put it higher XD Stand on your stool high

[@jdixon390]

Nice DG profile pic!

[@ittybittyboat9017]

Two incredibly talented musicians, this is phenomenal

[@yungskipper5652]

Saw them live about a year ago… they rocked. Highly recommend seeing them in person if you haven’t yet!

[@justis00]

Two of my favorite bands, how did I miss this?!

[@jeffreygrove]

This whole set is incredible - but man, I love Sugar Foot. It's almost too on-the-nose to have Jon Anderson do vocals, but man is it one of the best guest-vocalist turns they've done, and in a way it's back to their math-rock roots. I actually love their reinvention as a duo, Juice B Crypts is easily the best thing they've done since Mirrored.

[@jeffreygrove]

WHY DID BOTH OF THESE CUT OFF BEFORE THE ACTUAL END?!?!

[@benido326]

Saw them live in SF a few years ago. And after seeing this and other live performances, they just need to release a live album.

[@hERDoFBAND]

I’m so happy about this getting re uploaded with the click taken out! Love Battles!

[@demonicsweaters]

This is actually really good. I was never much of a fan of this band before, but I think as a duo they are the best they ever have been.

[@nbradgarrett]

The Helmet "Betty" reference give me ALL the feels

[@Velo.Muerto]

I think Fort Greene Park is my all-time favorite Battles track.

[@dtouchy]

Agreed. They’ve put out a ton of great music but that song just has so much heart.

[@BlaringSIREN]

Super awe-inspiring performance, can't stop watching because it's so good!

[@soulsonicfarce]

Drummer is mad good

[@violetto3219]

assumed "like a melting ice cream" was just a random phrase they thought was cool but watching this i understand it's about their drummer. i respect it though. big sweaty

[@cenzoredworld]

Their live performance was tight! Very good recording also, great work all around.

[@atari_k1]

Me waiting for Black Midi to turn up like 👁️👄👁️ 🤟🤪🤙

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

You know they're very boring right?

[@shaapizzle4277]

@@myautobiographyafanfic1413 Went to one of their concerts, you’re objectively wrong lmao

[@makeitup512]

fkn religious experience being in that room

[@F.S.H.O.]

Fantastically arranged and preformed, wish I was there!

[@chrismcgourty1756]

What I love about this video the most aside from the impeccable talent on display and the one man powerhouse that is our lord and saviour John Stanier, is all the kids at the start watching their phones saying, I only jumped in for a song or two but these guys are killing it. At the moment I'm not too sure how to move my head but by the end of this, god damn I'll be moshing. I'll meet you at the Wetherspoons later and you won't believe the story I have to tell. Must have been a Friday tbh. Got to have been,

[@19Leonidas88]

Give that man a gatorade please!

[@pifflepockle]

Particularly enjoyed a paint ad popping up perfectly in time at one point

[@urielseptim9860]

drumming is fooking hard mate!

[@neshead80]

Love these guys so much. Fort Greene Park might be my favorite tune of 2019.

[@BlackWave54]

Oh. Thank you for this performance

[@shaunspark8036]

After all that, it was just a 48-minute advert for craft beer

[@Ida-Adriana]

Crispest sound engineering on this, simply friggin superb 🥹

[@mbrombert]

Yes, it is ridiculous how good it sounds...

[@virtuallyunknownn]

Damn, I didn’t know you could play Atlas with only 2 people

[@HiPocket303]

GOOOD FUCKING GOD I LOVE THIS BAND WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING

[@codypower4298]

This is music to battle cyborgs to

[@Mrfugere]

norman bates getting a face full of cymbal @ 1:40

[@timcoleman3784]

lmfao

[@ryanaten3431]

I just saw these guys open for Primus in Boise ID. They look like two guys from your company’s IT department that decided to start a band. Pretty cool show though.

[@maquialimentos3707]

The Best show of battles is insane

[@pluralloops]

Been a while since I caught this! Pretty sure live the click track that signalled the changes was in the mix. I was bummed because everything else about the performance was so dope. Glad they got those clicks removed and we can enjoy this great set!

[@rolljoints1]

I saw these guys live yesterday and they were fucking INSANE

[@cojodoodoo112233]

It's like the crowd is made of physical social anxiety

[@lofotenbajas]

Maybe because this was realy bad...

[@ludwiggitywack]

Lol

[@doomprophetess6286]

They’re all wondering whether this could be danceable or not.

[@mikewood9514]

they are all worried that their fixies wont be there when they leave to go for a vegan meal and latte

[@PEGGLORE]

Hipsters!. Hipsters who think they know what the best, most intellectual music is, when they haven't even heard bands like Can, Residents and This Heat..

[@elcapitan549]

19:17 gave me stank face. So much girth.

[@paulblenkiron478]

FANTASTIC MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

[@goodbadalexcat726]

fokken awesome, so colorfully and inventive, so breathtaking

[@joewilsoncool]

that’s so epic, lit, cool, nice, very good drum funny guitar cool electronic. I love your face you electron I

[@lukerogers151]

(???)

[@tobydammit]

cool audio dropout at :53!

[@Marcogagaga]

fucking sick, i love it

[@RobFieldFlorida]

Never seen a better two-piece.

[@martinth2529]

John Stanier and Jojo Mayer should play together! And that snare, so Helmet. I love it!

[@adderon]

John throws in some beats from Helmet songs here and there

[@kohlemainen]

What a treat

[@pluralloops]

Also, the amount of positive comments on this video makes me so happy.

[@vince3804]

thank you for putting this back up

[@bjornkliem2736]

Best band in the universe

bro , that drummer was 2 more songs from a Heart Attack.

[@tremoo5987]

Only John Stanier decides when John Stanier has a heart attack

[@PhaktTheIsolationist]

Stanier been on the verge since Helmet. Amazing drummer. One of the greats.

[@DrTomoculus]

That's why John Stanier is in my Top 10 Favourite Drummers of All Time. He was 1 song away in Helmet.

[@bjornkliem2736]

..... Go ahead and play like him

[@stonerdemon]

He's the man. Watch him full steam with Tomahawk live @ Portugal. The video must be here.

[@tombicknell5868]

Stewart Lee and Louis Theroux made a band? Sounds just like i thought it would.

[@isaacfisher2482]

Best comment

[@Emnor1993]

@@isaacfisher2482 clueless about both references, but after looking them up, I can begin to grasp that this is a good comment indeed lel

[@isaacfisher2482]

@@Emnor1993 I cannot recommend both Lee and Theroux more

[@signifidelica2819]

Duuuuude

[@MrMarkusRuckus]

So good. So so good.

[@joelmagee6156]

This is amazing sounds completely original an new....... love it

[@cluhbtrash]

theyve been putting out records like this for a long time lol

[@MrJustjuiced]

Welcome to the brilliance of Battles , check out their back catalogue it will not disappoint

[@garretthartley7044]

Would love to have been there for the music, but happy to skip that crowed and go nuts in my kitchen doing the dishes

[@fivebyfivesound]

Battle cyborg in effect 🤘🏽

[@thomasrainbow]

Absolutely amazing 🔥

[@starlanzo]

My favorite video on youtube so far

[@EnisVoorhees]

Extraordinary.

[@FireSonix]

They look like Kraftwerk in early 70's, when nobody got them serious. Amazing guys!

[@MegaGuac]

Why is my history teacher playing drums?

[@teetoys76]

MegaGuac you don’t get out much do you ?

[@danthemanwhocancan]

To supplement his poor pay under a Tory Government.

[@adintyaannasaidhiakharisma5202]

@@teetoys76 oh wow a r/wiseguy teach me something

[@teetoys76]

When you create something better than this performance get back to me .

[@solairedeastora5995]

?

[@ronalcuricastaneda9969]

gran banda buen sonido

[@nicochocho]

based and damp John

[@laiden]

Imagine if this whole session were available on vinyl

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love your sounds!!

[@ESanczi]

It's a shame for me but this is the first time I heard them, but 'god they are the best.

[@grisha4167]

same same

[@mattjohnson1953]

John getting that second, third, fourth, fifth wind

[@albertocalabrese6575]

outstanding

[@ЗавтракТуриста-б8е]

Все коменты на английском, и я такой: юхуу клёвая группа )

[@zmickeylangelo]

Два сапога - пара

[@ЗавтракТуриста-б8е]

@@zmickeylangelo Воу, соратник, очень рад, что ты интересуешься подобной музыкой

[@zmickeylangelo]

​@@ЗавтракТуриста-б8е Yabba - на века!

[@cestmirberka6994]

fantastic!

[@harrymorrell1930]

At 30:40 there's a melody that they play as an intro that is so familiar, but i can't pin it down - reminds me of an old song, kind of Jackson 5, Stevie feel - any help identifying it would be greatly appreciated!!

[@holisticcockroache3525]

Maybe: nena -99 luftballons ?

[@torrapa]

Sounds like "Breakout" by Swing Sister for me.

[@meritrecordings]

@@holisticcockroache3525 YES