AlkaSilka – Acho’s: February 12, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
As the guitarist maestro Brian Purington from Swallow The Rat said as we drank fine beverages and ate magnificent Japanese bar food at Acho’s on K’Rd. “How often do you get to see a waycool punk/folk band from Japan in a New Zealand Japanese bar?” AlkaSilka are on the weekend’s bill to play with The King Brothers (also from Japan) and locals Cindy. But tonight, or rather this evening, AlkaSilka have snuck in a surprise-ish early evening show at Tamaki Makaurau’s favourite Japanese bar snack hangout – Acho’s.
Dinner is so fucking yum, darling Jessica has never been to Acho’s before and is impressed by the food and drink (I am particularly enamoured by discovering 7.5% Yamadanishiki Lager) As we eat, the members of AlkaSilka arrive and start setting up, it’s exciting, I have previewed their music, a synthesis of folk (care of an accordion) anarchic punk, and Japanese mannerisms.
Soundcheck is promising, darling Jessica is virginal in the ways of AlkaSilka, we are positioned optimally due to being older and organised. AlkaSilka are punk, their whole dress sense and demeanor screams counter-culture, and as the singer sets up the little table of merchandise, tshirts, CDs and 7” pic disc, we (and others) are hovering, rummaging, plotting.
It begins, three guys: singer , guitar, bass and two gals: drums, accordion. It’s brash unforgiving energy, powerful dual, multi vocals, vocals, male and female, intricate harmonies, and dynamic stage presence, with a strong focus on audience engagement, creating a deeply immersive atmosphere that leaves the crowd feeling uplifted and connected, excited, in aroha, for a moment.
The accordion is so much the difference. Yes the other members are mightily competent, the drummer is a star, AlkaSilka sound is folk-inspired punk, as they incorporate elements of genres, showing versatility, moodism. The audience is magnetised, and the singer is in the crowd, on the floor, in the street, in the face of the people, interaction fuels his venturism.
It finishes, the crowded room is appreciative, I suspect AlkaSilka are appreciative, so much so that they do one more song. Joy prevails. The band’s merchandise sells rampantly (we buy two t-shirts and a CD) people chats to the members of AlkaSilka, they are super friendly. I suggest to the band tour manager that they return for another show. After Sunday’s show in Raglan, It’s a selfish request, I want to eat at Acho’s again, and see some cool Japanese punk rock/folk again.
Simon Coffey
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