2CELLOS

Former rivals turned bandmates, Croatian cellists Luka �ulic and Stjepan Hauser turned their good looks and love of pop music into an international phenomenon. Both classically trained, the duo known as "2CELLOS" met at a master class in Croatia as teenagers. After attending different music schools, the two joined forces and rose to fame after a video of their interpretation of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" hit YouTube. Having now appeared on "Ellen," "Glee," and toured with Elton John, the classical/rock twosome are taking the U.S. by storm.

Playing mostly covers of rock and pop songs from the likes of Coldplay, Muse, Nirvana, and AC/DC, �ulic and Hauser's classical roots shine through in their technical prowess and love of the instrument.

Taking the stage at Pepperdine's Smothers Theatre, �ulic walked on stage quietly, sat down, and slowly began to play a classical piece. Mid-way through he was joined by Hauser who blended in with him masterfully. The two then moved into "Gabriel's Oboe" from the film "The Mission" showing off their reverence for more classical and classically-inspired music. But it wasn't long before the two entered the pop zone with songs like "Shape of my Heart" from Sting, "With or Without You" by U2 and a medley of Michael Jackson classics.

Even though they were backed by a pre-recorded track (and later on by drummer Du�an Kranjc), the focus was clearly on the beauty of their talents; not to mention their good looks.

�ulic is clearly the quiet, gentle of the two, although he was the first to address the audience, thanking everyone for coming to "Mahl-i-boo." He's the guy you want to bring home to mom and the one who would write you poetry after sex. Hauser, on the other hand, is the guy your momma warned you about -- and whom you can't get enough of.

At first, he remained silent, but before the two launched into a few of their slower selections, Hauser took the microphone and that's where his personality started to seep through. A goofy joker, he is the attention seeker of the two and he does a great job at getting the crowd riled up and the women swooning. There was even an older gentleman in the front row fist-bumping his cane into the air and screaming "yah!!!" much to the delight of Hauser who continually flirted with every lady in the audience -- and the cane pumper.

As the concert moved into heavier rock classics like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Smells like Teen Spirit" Hauser got crazier using his cello much like a rock star from the '70s uses his guitar -- as an extension of his penis. It's funny that this show played on a dry, Christian campus as Hauser's hip-thrusting and stroking of the neck of his cello certainly worked the women (and many of the men) into a sexual frenzy.

All of this delighted his cohort �ulic who undoubtedly knows he has his hands full with Hauser. By the time Hauser was spinning on his back to the strains of classics like "Highway to Hell," cello thrust into the air squealing out chords like a guitar solo, the audience was going nuts and �ulic could only laugh and shake his head.

But as flashy as the two can be, it is the heart of their talent where the fascination with them lies. Sure, the gimmick is the revamping of pop songs to fit a classical instrument. And their physical appearance is most certainly a draw, but you can't deny the proficiency of their craft. And the clear love they have for music and their instrument.

While some might look at this as a commercial exercise in music bastardization, it really is a wonderful way to open people up to seeing that classical music doesn't always have to be a stuffy, elegant affair. Who knew playing a cello could be so cool and so Goddamn sexy?

2CELLOS played on March 11 at the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. For information on upcoming events at Pepperdine, visit arts.pepperdine.edu. For more information on 2Cellos and their current sold-out tour, visit www.2Cellos.com.