Purple Monkey Pants
After a slow winter, my concert going has increased a bit. In the last few weeks, I've seen Gogol Bordello, Flogging Molly, Ambulance Ltd (with VHS or Beta), and Dirty on Purpose (opening for the Small Shouts). As I have practically given up on writing any sort of coherent review of the shows I go to, I present to you a random list of comments.
1) Gogol Bordello, the Ukranian gypsy-punk band (think polka, with a bit more attitude), is insane. Insane in a good way, no doubt, but definitely insane. They played with so much enthusiasm and energy, to a sold out crowd at the Black Cat, that I didn't care that I could only understand three words from Hutz, the lead singer, the entire night. Those three words were "purple," "monkey," and "pants." I think.
2) See Gogol Bordello if you ever have a chance to. If you become friends with them, they might come to your apartment after the show to dance to "Zorba the Greek" while smashing wine glasses on your floor. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to experience that spectacle, but this guy did.
3) Flogging Molly. There's really nothing to say that hasn't already been said here. They are one of the best live bands I've ever been able to see. Despite having a bit of laryngitis, Dave King still managed, with the help of some whiskey (actually, not "some" but rather a lot of whiskey), to belt out all of my favorite FM songs. Good times.
4) The lead singer of the Riverboat Gamblers, who opened for Flogging Molly, is best described as Mick Jagger's ADD suffering son. The band was fun, and the music was pretty damn good, but the highlight was the singer who was all over the place...on the speakers, in the crowd, hanging from the balcony. He's an accident waiting to happen. He shook my hand though when I congratulated him on a good set. Good guy.
5)VHS or Beta, which was supposed to close the night I saw them with Ambulance Ltd, ended up opening. They seemed to have some technical problems during their sound check, and ended up standing on stage looking a little lost for about 20 minutes. By the time they started playing, some of the band seemed to be a bit pissy. It only got worse as the band realized that no one in the crowd was dancing to their disco pop. Someone forgot to tell them that they were in DC.
6) In the middle of the VHS or Beta set, the lead singer, who sounded EXACTLY like Robert Smith of the Cure, started singing into a mic that was running through a synthesizer. It was AWFUL. That one song was enough to kill any enthusiasm the crowd had for the band. Their last song of the night was quite catchy, and pretty damn good, but by then it was too little, too late.
7) Ambulance Ltd is a good band. I can't say they are a great band. They don't give me goosebumps or get my heart racing, but they don't really make any bad music either. They are a consistently solid band that sometimes, with songs like "Heavy Lifting" and "Yoga Means Union," produces some really great material. I've seen them four times now, and each time I've found myself tapping my foot and nodding my head with their sound. My only suggestion for them is that they need to work a cover into their encore. Most definitely.
8) Dirty on Purpose needs to either spend some time tuning their drummer's drums, or they need to get him a new set. He's technically good and really gives them a great backbone for their outstanding guitar work, but every time he hits his floor tom, I wince. Also, they need to play some bigger venues so that they can send their instruments through a decent PA. They've outgrown the backstage of the Black Cat.
9) I got to hear half of the Small Shouts set. I guess they are going on hiatus, but I have one suggestion for them if they ever head back out on the road. They need to do four things:
I) Get a decent drummer. II) Move Opal, the one woman in the band, to lead vocals/rhythm guitar. III) Have the other two guys take the lead guitar, bass, and backup vocal duties. IV) There isn't a fourth thing.
If they do that, they could actually be a pretty decent indie pop band. They took turns singing and playing each other's instruments. The only singer who sounded reasonably decent as the lead was Opal. When the other guys harmonized as backups, they had a winning combo.
10) Go listen to Ted Leo cover Kelly Clarkson, with a little bit of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs thrown in.
Posted by Mr. Eff on 03/10/2005 || link
