When the lights go out at a chiptunes show, one can expect the following: disco balls, head nodding, and people just like you and me rocking out on GameBoys with more earnest gusto than most local guitarists can muster.

Sure enough, I felt these sentiments and more when Anamanaguchi was booked to tear the proverbial roof off of Ground Kontrol on a recent Wednesday in early September. They were booked to play twice, once in the afternoon for the underage patrons and once for the 21-and-over crowd later that night. Since underage shows typically blow hard, I didn't attend the first – partially because I didn't want a bunch of fifteen year olds stepping on my toes and partially because I wanted to drink beer.

Anamanaguchi are a four-piece instrumental chiptunes act out of NYC. I'd caught the buzz on these cats a couple years back when they released a free album through 8bitpeoples.com. The album, Power Supply, was fresh, but didn't have much staying power. I forgot about it sooner than later.

Fast-forward to 2009: a familiar name was gracing most of the blogs I frequent. Anamanaguchi and their new record, Dawn Metropolis, was garnering some serious attention, even from bloggers who typically didn't enjoy this kind of fare. I listened to the new album, and to make a long story short, was enamored. When I heard that Anamanaguchi was playing in Portland on the same bill as Operation Mission, I knew what I’d be doing that night.

Once inside the door of the venue, I took a glance at the stage. Two GameBoys and a mixer. I smiled all the way to the bar.

The opening act was Plain Flavored, who have a killer Earthbound reference in their name. Aside from that, they played like it was their first show, which I gathered it actually was. Both members (clad in matching Anamanaguchi shirts, essentially forming a band made up entirely of "that guy") had things to do, but ultimately succumbed to the woes of cheap cabling. A loud metronomic tick was prevalent until the frontman decided to cut the set short. He offered the audience a "free fucked up RCA cable," but I don't think he actually gave it to anyone. Because of this, I was set to lambaste them in print, until the same guy complimented my bike outside the venue after the show.