Monday, July 11, 2011
Live Review Black Lodge's debut outshined Mickey's return
Posted by Jhoni Jackson on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 10:01 AM
- Jhoni Jackson
- Mickey
Bassist Jennifer von Schlichten has faced large-scale crowds as a DJ on bills with Diplo and Spank Rock, but essentially, when paired with second bassist Karen Horn (yes, two basses, no guitar), the two are the greenest of green in terms of brandishing instruments onstage. The moral support of seasoned musician Jennie Castillo (keys) and the super, super-seasoned Adam Bruneau (drums) helped the band live up to the gloomy connotations of its name.
Ominous synth lines, deadpan vocals (mostly from Castillo and von Schlichten) and deep, minimalistic bass made for a generally Joy Division-like sound — spooky enough to match the wild, murder-hungry grin of Twin Peaks’ mysterious antagonist BOB. Mid-paced songs were a highlight, as the slower numbers sounded empty, and dragged on.
Husseins played with the necessary energy of a super-speed punk band, but with little effort or sweat—a commodity only youth and varieties of ectodermal dyplasia can offer. (Yeah, I Googled that.) Apologies were made for sound issues, but none were easily audible. Either that or I was too busy wondering if, even mid-set, they’d outshined the headliner. On almost any given bill an upset in the Husseins’ favor could be feasible. But the feverish Mac Blackout (Mark McKenzie), frontman for Chicago foursome Mickey, wouldn’t let that happen.
Back for a second stint after April’s Mess-Around, the group’s second coming seemed highly anticipated. Unfortunately, however, the turnout was most shallow for Mickey—even Black Lodge had more listeners, although many were friends of the band.
Regardless, Mickey played as though it was their final performance, steaming with energy and sweating from the get-go. McKenzie displayed a naturally manic intensity that’s altogether ageless. Let’s hope the fresh-faced Husseins were watching.
Mickey is a rabid throwback to ’50s rock ‘n’ roll, with a little weirdo glam here and there. One shirtless player wore a wig that, from afar, looked like a bunch of blue-grey bananas atop his head. The band ripped through their mostly fast-paced repertoire while McKenzie plowed through the audience, knocking down a guy with a cane at one point. But he picked him right back up, palmed the fellow’s head and shouted gargled lyrics right in his face.
I missed one band at this year’s Mess-Around, and it was Mickey. I thought I’d kicked myself enough over it, but after seeing McKenzie—an irresistible, albeit dirty, crazy-eyed frontman bringing the band’s energy to a point, I deserve another punt. And for the hordes of folks who typically turn out for punk shows but bailed this time, you missed out.
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
What a bunch of shit....there first show is at the earl?? The most elitist shithole bar in east atl.Who's dick are they sucking???
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The EARL is "Elitist"........hahAhHAHAHAHAHAH!! Hell, my old band's second show was at The EARL a week after our first.
Jake (or other waterhead-worshipping Dixie Metal scum in-cahoots-with-Jake): it's time to consider that A) the CD-R full of your band's original material just flat-out sucks nad batter through a silly straw AND B) you are so physically off-putting to booking people/venue personnel, in both personal appearance and manner of speaking, that you might consider hiring an "agent" who doesn't breathe entirely through their mouth.
Someone needs to suck Jake's dick. He's lonely and seems to keep changing his moniker.
If you have friends in the right places, no dick sucking is necessary. We have very close friends in the music scene, that work at the Earl, and in booking. Sorry that seems unfair to you, that a community of friends helps each other out. Maybe if you weren't such a turd, you'd have been on the bill.
- Jennifer von Schlichten
P.S. Post your name next time, pussy.
Wish someone else more "seasoned" had written a interview instead of a young 20-something who only knows Joy Division as a "dark" reference. Where was Chad Radford? Talk about one person who really gets the post punk/early goth era that should have been writing about it.
Also, Jhoni, I have to tell you.. those basslines are anything but minimal. Minimal is like, 4 notes a measure. Essentially we've got guitar melodies going on a bass guitar. At the same time. It's pretty intricate..like the spelling of my last name, which I wish you'd spell check next time. Hell, it's on your Facebook! -jv
http://s-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/terminal01/2010/12/30/16/hi-hater-bye-hater-29346-1293744113-1.jpg
A perfect example that writing about music is like dancing about books. How amateurish.
Come now, Jennifer, one of the most delightful things about being a performer is being misunderstood! Every note, movement or impromptu belch (in my case) is open to interpretation.
Sincerely
-Ben Coleman (non-pussy)
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