Grrilla Step
SoCo
Cargo - Garden of Unearthly Delights
Season closed



Polyrhythmic is probably the best way to describe Grrilla Step. Involving the Polynesian log drumming group Drum Drum, as well as DJ Dexter and Melbourne's underground krump dance group Royal Fam, the show was strongly based upon a solid and aggressive rhythmic foundation. Drum Drum is made up of three log drummers, each with several drums, and one conventional drum kit to lead the group. Often, though not entirely, based upon breakbeats, the group would beat out dozens of rhythms over the course of the show. Their energy was amazing, as was their ability to complement each others playing. They had no problems with tempo or rhythm changes and the whole thing blended together to create one enormous, complex rhythm.

Royal Fam were crazy. As someone who'd never really seen much krump dancing before (and I'm sure a lot of the people there were in the same boat), the dance was recognisable but unfamiliar, and so utterly aggressive. They look like they're trying to rip something out from inside themselves, or fight off what must be very vicious attackers. The harsh snaps and jerky movements were the perfect physical expression of the kind of hip-hop Dexter played for them to dance to. Drums as rough and loud as heavy drum'n'bass, no melody and the odd bass growl made the dance seem that much more abrasive.

DJ Dexter took a bit of a backseat for the show, which was fair enough. Mainly serving just to provide another layer of rhythm for Drum Drum to play to and giving the krumpers something to go off to was his role, although he did manage a few tidy scratches here and there.

As a showcase of both krump and Polynesian drumming, Grrilla Step was excellent. The two styles match each other so well it almost seems like they should have been together the whole time, as each gave the other something that made the whole thing more interesting. The krumpers brought a heavy, modern edge to the log drumming, while the traditional aspect and virtuosity of the drummers made sure this show was unique.

Ben Ford-Smith