I’m addicted to two things; the written word and music. Lyrics are and have always been a love of mine. I love analyzing every word in a song and trying to get a sense of what its author was feeling or trying to say when they wrote it. Needless to say it takes something pretty extraordinary like Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana or Puccini to really keep me listening to a song in which the words play second in command to the music. One of these rare awesome bands is Ninja Academy. I remember the first time I saw them, I was blown away by the high level of musicianship that this drum and bass duo has. Indo Ninja and Outdo Ninja are truly masters of their craft and have set the standard for playing instrumental very high for anyone attempting to follow in their silent but deadly ninja steps. 

This band has showed me nothing but stellar performance after stellar performance. For example; their performance at the Mormons’ 10 year anniversary show August 15, 2008. During the last song the power went out just after one of Indo Ninja’s incendiary bass lines. Rather than call it quits, Outdo Ninja finished the song with a captivating drum solo that would have convinced you it was planned.

Another example of this would be at The Woven CD release party December 6, 2008. That night I witnessed a performance unlike any I have seen from the ninjas in the past. The “guest ninjas” (who range anywhere from 1-4 on a given night) really made that performance shine. Ninja Mamalickum who does vocal stylings of all sorts on select songs, had me with my jaw dropped to the floor, making me believe she must be a classically trained soprano. Tai Kwon Dan manipulates his “fiddle of destruction” with serene dexterity that really adds to the mystique we have grown to love and expect from Ninja Academy. This is also probably one of the only bands who incorporates a taiko drummer (High Priestess Gongis Khan ) in their set. The cherry on this night had to be Ninja Shogun (a.k.a. Steve Abagon of Woven) on guest guitar that night. You wouldn’t believe the speed and skill coming out of this guy and his impressive pedal board unless you witnessed it yourself. That just goes to show you’ll never know what to expect at a Ninja Academy show. The element of surprise is just a small part of what keeps me going back for more. 

On Monday April 6th, the kick-off show for their national tour across 34 different cities and 19 states took place at Juanita’s in Highland park. They played some material off the new forthcoming self-titled album as well as some ninja favorites I haven’t heard live in a while like “your kung fu sucks”. It was a little bittersweet to know that this would be the last time I would see the ninjas for about 2 months. At the same time it’s truly awesome that one of our family of ISGOOD Bands is going out in the world and making it happen. 

So good luck, Indo Ninja! Good luck, Outdo Ninja! Have a blast and document everything. As for the rest of us, we will be sure to welcome you back on May 21st at The Smell for the Ninja Academy homecoming.

published on 4.09 for Isgoodmusic.com