Big Bear, Child Bite, Ketman, The Gondoliers at PA's Lounge

Big Bear
Big Bear
Child Bite
Child Bite
The Gondoliers

More photos on Flickr.


Big Bear and Child Bite put out a split 7" (green vinyl with killer artwork and it's only 4 bucks, fucking buy it already) and this was the record release show. It was also the beginning of their tour together. Aaaand if you went to this show, you got a free copy of the 7". Fuck. YES. Nothing so sweet as the words "free Big Bear 7"."

Anyway, The Gondoliers kicked the show off. Normally I'm not a big fan of bands with gimmicks, unless those gimmicks are awesome (The Locust, Harry & The Potters). The Gondoliers have been added to that list of exceptions. They were two guys on drums and guitar (with a shit ton of pedals), wore all white clothes, pitch black shades with words written on them (one said "Never" the other said "Quit!"), and kingly crowns that lit up. Of course, all the lights were turned out in the place, forcing them to play by halo-light. They didn't utter a single word to the audience. Instead, in between every few songs they had a computer recite in a Speak-N-Spell type voice little speeches they wrote that said something about how the governing party of The Gondoliers were not up for re-election and how even though they were quitting, it wasn't actually like quitting because they were letting Big Bear and Child Bite get their thing done (aka Palin's dumbass shit). Well, their shtick really got to me and I thought they were great. Not to mention their ridiculously awesome music. It wasn't anything super original but they did the math rock/sludge/metal/pop thing really well. Kinda reminded me if Torche was a duo and really into Don Cab. So it was pretty fucking great.

I skipped out for a bit and didn't see Ketman. Not that I'm all that disappointed. They're not really my kinda thing anyway.

Child Bite was up next and although I'd heard plenty about them and their "next big thing" status, I hadn't actually heard anything of theirs before I went to this show. I really enjoyed them. They had tons of energy to match their mostly-danceable punk rock fun. The bassist looked like a metal mix of Cheech and Chong and had massive hair that could not be contained by his hat. For some reason, he kept putting his hat back on and no matter how many times he did, his repeated head banging knocked it right off again. Kind of hilarious to watch. Also hilarious? The guitar/joystick solo duel. The lead singer had an arcade style joystick hooked up so it made crazy electronic sounds whenever you moved it around and pressed buttons. Kinda cheesy, mostly awesome.

And to finish off the night, Big Bear slayed, as always. This was the first time I'd seen them live where I was standing in front of Joanna playing the keyboard so it was weird to actually hear her. For some reason I always end up in front of Joel and all I can ever hear is his crazy guitar. Not at this show. They played 3 new songs (new as in not on their brand new record, which is self released and now available at their shows and you should buy because it's fucking great and you've been waiting years for it to come out). Those 3 new ones kind of sound like Big Bear's take on pop music. Which is fucking weird as shit and makes me think that Big Bear isn't quite as big as they used to be. If they keep heading in this direction, they'll end up being Regular Sized Bear. Which is fine by me. I love bears of all sizes. And their new sound is still awesome stop-n-start loudness.

Like I said, they just started their tour together so if they're coming your way, you best get out and see them. I'm fortunate because I get to see Big Bear pretty much whenever I want. You might not be so lucky. So take the chance to see them. And buy their new album and 7". Great stuff all around, I assure you.

Windy & Carl, Benoit Pioulard, Lambs Laughter at Oxfam Cafe

Windy & Carl

Benoit Pioulard

Lambs Laughter

More images on Flickr.

Last night was like a lucid dream. I was aware of my surroundings and able to control my body but actually hearing Windy & Carl live was nothing short of spectacular. Coupled with the strange visuals projected during each performance, I was forced to doubt whether or not it was actually happening.

Lambs Laughter started the show off. I saw them (read: Windy and Thomas Meluch of Benoit Pioulard) play at Brainwaves in November and it was fantastic. Their performance last night was just as good. Super droning with little to no plucking of strings which made every smooth and organic. At times, the music sounded almost like some sort of blackened ambient doom but then they would snap right back to the sunny harmonic drone. The last song was entirely a cappella and their voices echoing together sounded beautiful.

They were off stage for less than 5 minutes before Meluch came back to perform as Benoit Pioulard. His was truly astounding, forming all sorts of magical sounds from his guitar and array of pedals. Performing alone, he had to create the loops on the spot for the foundation of his songs. Then he would sing in that inimitable voice that sounds slightly Irish and slightly like Julian Koster. Hearing him live is nothing like listening to one of his records. It's a much fuller and more dramatic experience.

The best way to enjoy Windy & Carl would be to lie on your back spread eagle in the middle of an enormous open field where the grass is greener than it should be and the breeze is keeping you perfectly cool on an otherwise too hot day. I had to settle for the second best scenario. Sitting curled up in a ball, holding my knees to my chest with my head down while Windy & Carl played less than 2 feet in front of me. It seriously felt like I was in a dream. Their drones are simultaneously soporific and uplifting, a magnificent combination.

They're still on tour for another month or so, heading down the coast to NY, Richmond, Asheville, Atlanta, Lexington before they head west. It's a given that everyone should see them live, but as an extra incentive, they're selling a limited edition tour 12" (500 copies) with hand painted and screened covers. You know you need one.

Shit, b°tong, Oldine, Tamagawa at Oxfam Cafe

Tamagawa
Tamagawa
Oldine

Tamagawa: thick heavy mind-boring guitar drone

Oldine: Ty Braxton style vocal/guitar looping with hints of pop and Americana

b°tong: sample-heavy minimal industrial power glitch

Shit: had to leave before Shit played

Mountains, Mind Wheel at Oxfam Cafe

Mountains
Mind Wheel
Mind Wheel


Second night within the week I went to Oxfam Cafe for a superb show. Last week when I saw Parts & Labor there, I had very little problems with the sound system. I mean, it wasn't perfect but as long as it was loud (and it was) there was little I had to complain about. Not so with Mountains. With music as delicate and subtle as theirs, every crackle and quiver from the speakers brought me right back to the cafe. And the cafe is not where I was when I was listening to Mountains. Nope. I was actually being carried through a stream that was flowing upwards towards to sky. However, it wasn't because the current's so powerful, it's due to a lack of gravity. It was beautiful and transcendent. I'm fairly certain that's something everyone should experience sometime in their life. And now you don't have to find an upward flowing stream, you just have to go see Mountains live.

The band that played before Mountains was Mind Wheel from Portland, Maine and they were exceptional. At times they sounded like a Fuck Buttons/Mountains blend, sometimes they had a naturey Americana sound, but whatever they happened to be doing, it was absolutely wonderful. Felt like I was hovering through this, cruising around at ungodly speeds. They're in the process of booking a show at PA's Lounge, so keep an eye out for that. You don't want to miss these guys when they come back to Boston.

So, yeah. It only seems fitting that the creators of one of the best records of the year would put on one of the best live shows, too. Mountains = awesome. Live Mountains > awesome.

Parts & Labor, Wallcreeper, Kid Romance at Oxfam Cafe

Parts & Labor

Parts & Labor

Parts & Labor

Parts & Labor

Wallcreeper

Kid Romance

More photos on my Flickr.


Oxfam Cafe: cozy little place that's impossible to find with no stage and ample lighting for taking pictures. They don't list anywhere on the internet that other bands are playing. Oh yeah, good coffee, too.

Kid Romance: Really great stripped down garage punk rock with guy/girl vocals that maybe needs some more time in the oven.

Wallcreeper: Talented musicians making music you couldn't pay me to care about.

Parts & Labor: Fucking euphoric epic power noise pop that warms the cockles of your heart and puts a smile on your face. They played "Wedding In A Wasteland" (my favorite off Receivers) which I hadn't heard live yet. They also played a new song that they're calling "Hurricane" which was awesome as shit. Easily my favorite band to see live (sorry Big Bear) and I now have the requisite day-after-bangover.

The Skull Defekts at PA's Lounge

It seems like the only time I ever go to PA's Lounge is when everyone else doesn't. There was probably less than a dozen paying patrons at PA's last night and I'm pretty sure it's been that way every other time as well. Whatever. The music is just as good, if not better when there are less people around.


Sound checking took decades and eventually the first band, locals Magic People, went on. Decent enough music. Kinda like Neptune meets Throbbing Gristle. (Disclaimer: I have no idea what Throbbing Gristle sounds like.) They are a bass/synth duo. One guy plays bass guitar and a bass drum, the other dude plays a synth and occasionally throws in a low-fi Casio-type beat. They have a nice sense of humor. I'm pretty sure the bassist called out that "This next song is also about kittens" without ever saying that any of the previous songs were about kittens. Yeah, I loled. My only criticism is that they might need some more practice keeping time. Unless they were going for the "kick drum slightly out of sync with recorded beat" thing. They got that down pat.


Talk Normal was next. Another duo. This time two Brooklyn girls, one on guitar, the other on drums. They were so fucking cool. How cool? At one point , the guitarist slid a screwdriver under the strings on the neck of her guitar and started thrusting and jamming it like it was a fucking dildo. And they played with all the lights out, save for a lone red bulb. That's how cool. And the drummer ended up laying a guitar on her set and smacking it with her sticks for one song. I'm tellin' ya, these guys are goin' places.


And then SKULL motherfucking D. These Swedish dudes know how to rock. They bookended their set with complete darkness, while bright spotlights shown through the rest of it. One of the guys had a table set up with huge plastic jugs that had mics taped to the inside of them. He ran the mics through some sort of effects stuff so he could make them sound all weird. It was the fucking coolest. And the 4 of them wore all black. Classy.


I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting much from the last band, Centipede Eest. I was debating whether or not I should even stay for them. It was obvious they couldn't possibly be any better than The Skull Defekts. And they weren't. But they were still good. Kind of a psychedelic punk rock, with a dash of jazz thrown in for off-kilter measure. Even though most people had left the club already, the Centipedes still had plenty of energy and frankly didn't give a shit whether or not anyone was watching. They were dancing all over the place (mostly off the stage) and had no problem rocking and getting in people's face. It's good to see a band who still gives it there all no matter the size of the crowd. That's something I really appreciate. Definitely a good way to end the evening.

The Feelies Reunite

Yep. The Feelies are reuniting. Right now, they just have one live date set, opening for Sonic Youth at the River To River Festival in New York on July 4th. I'm sure they'll do a more expanded tour later on. And who knows? Maybe we'll get a new Feelies studio album. That wouldn't be so bad.

In slightly other news, The Feelies head guy Glenn Mercer is playing in Somerville pretty soon. On Saturday, May 17th, he opens for Wild Carnation, who consists of Feelies bassist/violinist Brenda Sauter and her husband Richard Barns (both of whom were also in Speed The Plough). They perform at Johnny D's in Davis Square in Somerville around 10:00.