Now Meat Beat Manifesto has embarked on its first tour in seven years. The act will present songs from the entire catalog in what may seem like a startling new context but is in fact true to the way many of the old songs were constructed: using clips from films. Dangers and fellow electronica wiz Ben Stokes will edit video of these clips live, in time to the music (which is also performed totally live, unlike many computer-based performances); the musicians will stand on the side of the stage so as not to detract from the main visual attraction.
This is not to say that MBM puts its sound second to its cinema. The group has always been about combining the best (and, sometimes, the rudest) elements of styles such as dub, funk, hip-hop, industrial, techno and jazz, and Dangers' role has long been one of conductor. MBM's latest LP, At the Center, is closer to the jazz of John Coltrane or even Sun Ra than the more brash and confrontational direction that was a part of the band's past. Suffice it to say that Nine Inch Nails would no longer be an appropriate tourmate.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15; call 618-274-6720 for more information.