Much like everyone else, I clearly remember the first time I saw universe’s premium punk rock band Gogol Bordello live. It was on the Black Cat mainstage (Ian Svenonius and his “Weird War” opened) and you could feel the temperature in the room rising by the second. We promptly decided to make a point of seeing them live as often as humanly possible.
Since then, Eugene Hutz has become a style legend (we had some moustache grooming questions lined up for him that went unanswered) and starred in “Everything is Illuminated”, they have toured the world, released a few high energy, foot stomping albums and most recently performed “La Isla Bonita” with Madonna during Live Earth.

And now, hot on the heels of their “Super Taranta” album release, they are coming to play 930 club this Wednesday
So, we tracked them down and asked their bassist and DC local boy done great Thomas Gobena a few questions. About music, fashion, Karl Douglas, local heroes and everything in between.

BYT: Hi, so tell us how is the tour going thus far? Any excellent stories to share?
Thomas Gobena:The tour is going great. Great audience and good vibes all around. The greatest story of all is that Super Taranta is out and available in stores for your listening pleasure.

BYT: I am Eastern European and so is most of Gogol Bordello, have you toured around all your homelands yet? Is there anything you miss from it?
TG:Gogol has played in Eastern Europe many times before and this year we have played Moscow, Romania and will play Budapest etc … I am Ethiopian so I also would love to take Gogol on an African tour.

(The Bordello keeps a terrifically illustrated site, as expected, so we dug up a few Eastern European gypsy camp tour photos for your perusal-ed)

BYT: First time we saw Gogol Bordello, it was at the Black Cat, the audience was screaming, there was sweat everywhere, and the energy was overflowing the space. Now that you are playing bigger venues, do you think it will affect audience interaction?

TG:Wow, I am actually from DC. Been to black cat many times and also the 9:30. Playing venues the size of the 9:30 is really not that much different than the black cat. The difference is when you move up to the Arena level and it’s hard to feel the organic energy from the crowd. We’ve played many festivals in front of thousands of people, and we did very well, got the crowd going and it was a great exchange of energy. But there is nothing like a club date to really get into it. The 9:30 is one our favorite venues to perform at.

BYT: Wow, we had no idea you were from DC (so much for doing our research)Where did your grow up? And why did you leave?
TG:I Grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I left when I was 16 in 1987. To persue better opportunities, education etc …

BYT: Which, you obviously found.Do you feel it has changes since you left? Do you miss anything?
TG:It has changed quite a bit. Addis Ababa is on track to become one of the biggest cities in Africa. I have heard it describes as the Paris of Africa. I miss being in Addis … great vibe of the people that live there. There are over 200,000 Ethiopians that live in Washington DC metro area so I still get to be around my people but it is somewhat different when it is done in our own country.

BYT: Give us your DC list…What are some of your favorite spots in DC? Local heroes you would love to see at the show?
TG:Well, I love Soussie in Adams morgan, Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant on U Street for great Ethiopian food and cultural expereince, Tryst for a great coffee in the morning etc …

BYT: Local heroes you would love to see at the show?
TG:Local heroes … ummm … George W. Bush … he is NOT my hero but he needs our music more than anyone I know, as a cure for his dillusional outlook of the world. We are a great representation of how the world should be. People from all corners of the world together on stage in harmony making beautiful music. It is possible ..

BYT: For the uninitiated, describe a Gogol Bordello show in 3 sentences.Or less?
TG:Undescribable Eneregy, Undestructable Party, Undeniably beautiful
Not quite sentences but it will do

(something else that will do, sort of, is a clip of the madness, tho the live energy at an actual show is undescribable-ed)

BYT: You always have the most amazing, circusy tour and album names? Who comes up with them and what kind of opiates are behind it all?
TG:Eugene is the mastermind, the genius, who comes up with most of the writing. I think he would answer this better than I could.

BYT: On the new record, what is your favorite song? And why?
TG:Couple of songs standout. Forces of Victory is one because of the energy that it demands out of you, like you have no choice but to join the journey go wherever it takes you. And Tribal Connection is another one , for the slower tempo groove that sets a much different vibe among the other songs in the album.

BYT: Is there a single song in this whole wide world you wish you had written?
TG:Everybody is Kung Foo Fighting … Carl Douglas

BYT: And songs you cannot stand to hear ANY MORE?
TG:Many to list here

BYT: Gogol Bordello is a very stylish band….tell us how do the stage outfits come about?
TG:Well there is no stage outfits so to speak (other than the girls) … We wear what we want, what makes us comfortable, and probably wear it off stage as well. Whatever expression you want to put forward … it is very individual rather than a collective effort when it comes to stage fashion.

BYT: Aside from the 930 club show and the new record, is there anything else you would like to shamelessly promote?
TG:World Peace 

BYT: In an Arcade fire…Gogol Bordello fight, who would win, and why?
TG:Gogol Bordello always wins, of course you knew that right?

BYT:In the depths of our heart of hearts. See you Wesdnesday
TG:9:30 is going to be great show. Hometown show for me with all my friends and family in the audience. Good Ethiopian food within few blocks of the venue. Can’t wait.

Neither can we

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