Die Roten Punkte, the 'best band in the verld', are back with their latest work – Eurosmash!After their recent dalliance with Kunst Rock (Art Rock), in an attempt to increase their standing in the serious world of rock, Die Roten Punkte have returned to their roots, and created an altogether more europop sound.
Die Roten Punkte, or 'The Red Dots' (a play on 'The White Stripes', on whom they are partly modelled) is the creation of siblings Astrid and Otto Rot. As we learn in Eurosmash! (by way of a mini pop opera, of course), the band was their ticket out of a fictional life of poverty on the streets of Berlin. It seems they've come a long way since those early days, and their fame has seen them perform their peculiar brand of indie rock/pop in all corners of the globe. But fame of course comes at a price.
The serious Otto now seeks to use his celebrity status responsibly. Like Bono. Or Chris Martin. His hyper-healthy lifestyle has led him to an all-fruit diet, and thus a song to promote the wonderous taste of fruit ('I want to give you an explosion in your mouth'). The free-spirited Astrid is more resigned to her fame and has no qualms about partaking in all of the benefits it affords – including the attention of certain audience members ('I want to rub my fun all over your face').
The musical production values have gone up a notch since I last saw them, and indeed true fans can now even purchase their music on iTunes. The lyrics are still as earnest and pretentious as ever ('Do you speak dance?'), and their energy on stage is truly worthy of a full blown rock concert. The two performers work extremely well together, and even given the shambolic nature of the show, they adeptly manage to include members of the audience while avoiding complete chaos.
Perhaps lacking the bite of their earlier works, this is still an enjoyable show by two of the Comedy Festival's favourite characters.
Dirty Work Comedy and Button Eye Productions present
Eurosmash!
Die Roten Punkte
Venue: The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne | 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne (Licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian)
Dates: 29 March - 8 April, 2012
Times: Tue-Sat 10pm, Sun 9pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $32 - $25
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au, 1300 182 183, Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 & at the door
Part of the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival