Hamster Theatre: Polka Rock?

Hamster Theatre is a band spearheaded by an accordionist and trumpeter. Add to that the usual rock instruments. What would you get - polka rock? Maybe with someone else but Hamster Theatre throws in every thing, equally, for their unique sound. There is no one style, no single instrument and no genre that dominates. Yet my foot kept tapping which is a good sign they aren't too obscure either.

Listening to Hamster Theatre offered me two experiences; at first I listened like I was on a roller coaster and watching the loose bolts, boards, rafters wiggle loose as if I knew what's next and I missed the ride. The next time taught me that Hamster Theatre's music was the ride. Throw your hands up and experience their unpredictable moving layers and surprises. Of course, the best review would be to check out their My Space page. 

And they are from Boulder, Co. So it's possible to catch them live without going on a European vacation.

"So what do they play? Well, with their use of some wind instruments such as saxophones, clarinets, flutes and other exotic instruments such as accordion, banjo, mandolin, marimba and viola and of course the basic rock instruments, they manage to deliver a fascinating mixture of folk and 20th century classic music as well as a generous amount of avant-garde but with good measure and not too much to frighten the uninitiated. The music is rather cheerful and it is smooth and easy on the ear. They have created their own unique sound and their musicianship is evident." -- AMG review

Carnival Detournement 2001

Vermilion Hue Over Lake Lausan

What Makes You Think This is A

Les Funfs

The Breach

Bur Di Lie Town

The Caspian

Fanfare

Vang Vang

Bug 2 The History of the Unit

Tick Fever

The Turn of Events

The Carrot is a Hologram

Drunken Penguin Tango

The Cat Song

A Reluctant Farewell

The Public Execution of Mister Personality - Quasi Day Room

part 1

part 2

Race Against Time

162

We Unearth the Lost Book of Mister Personality, and it's Consequences

Reddy 4 Luv

The Quasi Day Room Ceremonial Quadrille

Love Theme from All Clytemnestra on the Western Front

Comatose, Oye

Litost

La Sacre d'Merde

The Quasi Day Room Ceremonial Tango

The Fairytale, in Reverse

Phoenix

It was Only a Dream

Bean Dance

The Cat Song

Bur Di Lie Town

Jeanne-Marie

Bug 2 - The History of the United States of America

Vermilion Hue Over Lake Lausanne

Tick Fever

Vang Vang

Home 

The 5

Hamster Dance

The Bug Show

Cat 2 - Siege on Hamburger City

Portraits from the Coffeehouse: Hamster Theatre (60 min)