Baltimore Noise Punk foursome Dope Body introduced itself to the Indie Rock world with the donkey punch that was last year’s Nupping, the band’s first full-length. A chaotic barrage of guitar harmonics, muscular drum/bass pummeling and howling vocals combine in Dope Body’s assault, resulting in something that sounds like The Jesus Lizard jacked up on speed (or Gang of Four jacked up on The Jesus Lizard).
There is an artfulness to the noise, but it’s the group’s hectic energy level — which sometimes makes it seem like they’re going to fall apart at any second — that first draws the listener in, as if sucked up by the tornadic swirl, Dorothy-and-Toto-syle. The herky-jerky rhythms are also alluring, occasionally falling into a seemingly impossible groove that feels like some sort of alien Funk. You can dance to Dope Body — you just might look a little convulsive.
The band formed in 2008 and released a couple of EPs before Nupping came out on HOSS Records. For the band’s new LP, Natural History, Dope Body moves over to the higher-profile, much-respected indie label Drag City. Keep an eye out for the new release May 22.
The band performs a free show at The Comet tonight at 10 p.m., joined by lo-fi, D.I.Y. icon R. Stevie Moore. Here is Dope Body's music video for the track "Enemy Outta Me."