The Pandas are a multi-media band that squeeze emotional intensity out of every piece of debris they can find. They scratch records, play drums, work bass, guitar, melodica and who knows what else, all in front of projections spliced together from old silent horror films and war footage. It can make for a dense and confrontational atmosphere at times, from bleak to sublime and back again, but the music always comes back to hopeful, delicate ambient interludes.

They’ve been at it for three years now in their native habitat of Worcester, but their upcoming date at the Red Door on Tuesday, Dec. 13 is their first show in Portsmouth. Fans of Stereolab and the cosmic, post-rock outfit Mogwai should take note. I talked to Luis Fraire, drummer for the Pandas.

Are you comfortable with the comparison to Mogwai?
You know, I’m actually not familiar with Mogwai. I think I may have heard a bit here or there. But even not being familiar with them, they’re a good influence because they’re out there doing what they love with originality and creativity. Overall, The Pandas have a very broad ear. If we could do Panda radio, we’d call it “the finest in post-rock, ambient, experimental, electronic, lounge and exotica.”

Your music and films remind me of that Richard Brautigan poem, “All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace.” Do you know it? “Where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony like pure water touching clear sky...”
That’s a great poem! I see eye to eye with that hope. I like to look at it in terms of feminine machines, beautiful machines that contribute to a peaceful world, that help us. That’s much nicer than machines for war. I like to think of baby robots and panda cubs that are always playing pranks on people. I like to think of the electronics we use as feminine machines, loopers, synths and samplers, in balance with organic acoustic instruments like glockenspiel, melodica and drum kit.

How do you go about making the films you use?
We all give our two cents when it comes to projections, but the main man behind them is (multi-instrumentalist) Brown (Koroskenyi). He’s always hanging around with his camera filming this or that. Last year when we went down to Mexico he took a lot of desert footage and other interesting shots. He’s really good at compiling it all and synching it with the music, so I just leave him alone and let him do what he’s best at.

What brought you guys to Mexico?
My family is from Monterrey, Mexico, so it’s part of my yearly winter ritual to go down there. Last year Brown joined me and we played ambient gigs as a duo. It was refreshing to play for small audiences that were enthusiastic about what we were doing. Besides more gigging, hopefully we’ll be collaborating with musicians and come home with some recordings.

Can you talk about recording the second CD? How has the sound of The Pandas changed from the first CD?
The second CD should be available by New Year’s. The songs have been in the works for a year or so. I think the biggest thing with the second one is that we as individuals are doing much more, playing multiple instruments and such. The first CD was very minimal electronic with a cut and paste collage type feel. This second one has all those elements but combined with live instrumentation. Sean Carroll (guitar/guitar synth) is also a full-time member now and many of the new songs are based around his guitar compositions.

Do you find the Worcester scene has responded to what you’re doing?
Worcester actually has a long tradition of experimental music—Industrial Sonic Echo, Bob Jordan, The Invented Thing Quartet—but I guess it has been overshadowed by the mullet culture. We really have collaborated with a lot of people from the Worcester area over the years. That’s the best part about music, the friendships that come with it. Music actually can end some friendships, too! It’s like chemistry—it can be dangerous!

What’s next for the Pandas?
Finishing up this studio album, getting it pressed and packaged. Get rolling with our record label, Rogue Tape Records. Trying to get all the reviews and airplay and people interested in this type of music we can find. Then in the spring we’re releasing our third album with singer Serena Emerson. That’s a mainly electronic album with vocals. But for now, a Panda off-shoot is going down to Mexico for a couple of months. We’ll play some gigs as a smaller unit and collaborate with musicians there. Should be fun!