The band that took tribal percussion the furthest in rock was
Savage Republic, who blended it with surf guitar and Arabian scales and album packaging that looked third world currency. Before a gig, like Einstruzende Neubaten, they'd gather some junk from the area around the club, and use it for drumming. I saw them twice, both times completely mesmerizing. They still perform sporadically. This track is from the final performance of their 1989 incarnation.
Savage Republic - Mobilization
and this recent demo captures the surf-punk side of the SR sound:
Savage Republic - New Generation
I learned about Flux and Savage Republic from a guy who went on to form a band influenced by both; Washington DC's long-running instrumental band
Tone. They don't tour- some versions Tone have had five or more guitarists. That electric guitar orchestra sound is represented nicely on their latest album:
Tone - C&P
While the tribal side can be heard in this one:
Tone - Fate
Tone is especially generous with the mp3s. Be sure to
explore their site.
Now that Stomp has come and gone, underground bands might be able to wring something new out making a racket with percussion.
Liars have been drifting in that direction. But the spectacle of pouding on rusty urban detritus should get recycled.
http://blackstrap.org/