Merry Swankster: Hey, about that last Neon Lights show...

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March 02, 2007

Hey, about that last Neon Lights show...

Hi folks. I know you've been out there empty and alone, anticipating the long awaited wrap up of the February 17th Neon Lights show. My time spent ignoring my recap duties was relaxing, but I understand the need for closure after the steep buildup. So here.

In short, it was a full room, a good show, a fun night. As with before, my up close and personal role in pulling the thing together combined with some frazzled show night running around makes either an unbiased or comprehensive account completely unrealistic. As long you're cool with that, by all means proceed.

Please Dept.

The night began, a bit late I'll admit, with the Please Dept. The double keyboard assault I was ready for, the dueling drum volleys I most certainly was not. On record the songs are bizarre and theatrical, but in concert they were total synth punk. Chris Hembree refused to keep his chair firmly on the ground, throwing his weight into every ivory pound. His gal Friday, Georgia Kirtland, accompanied with keyboard, cowbell, odd mouth noise, or the aforementioned mini drum bash as needed. Brainy lyrics + focused live energy + surprisingly filthy stage banter + no need for guitars = sweet opening act.

A vastly underrated New York band. You should really do your part to change that by checking them out around town. They're playing the Knit on April 26th if you want to be venue snobs about it.

// Please Dept. - MySpace

the Muggabears

One night earlier at the Muggabears' Union Hall show, Travis Johnson rocked as hard as he could possibly rock, leading to his mid-song pass out. Rather than cower in fear of their own self-devastation and perhaps toy around with some Carpenters covers, they decided to lead off with "Dead Kid Kicks." The very number that KO'd their front man. That's the stuff of inspirational sports movies, people. I know this not from first hand witness, but because I felt the song pound through the floor and up through my legs as I sat at the ticket counter. So, its safe to say that they weren't holding back. When I did finally make it down, the charming kids were making some noise indeed. Romantically confrontational noise. Glamorously damaged noise. Melodically brutal noise. Loud noise.

And yea, twas good...

Some video of the 'bears set here, with thanks to Matt from Earfarm.

// the Muggabears - MySpace

Apache Beat

Although the wee bit of material from Apache Beat that we'd heard before eagerly bringing them into the fold was very encouraging, it was a relief when they arrived on the Delancey stage fully formed. The whole set was remarkably tight. I've got no clue how to refer specifically to song after song of unknown material. However, I did like the one with the aggressive but sprightly guitar, commanding but unusual rhythm, and intense vocal authority from front gal Ilirjana Alushaj (aka every song). Especially good (and not just 'cause it was the one we knew) was single "Tropics." The beat was faster, less of an exotic texture and more of a crazed motor.

You'll be seeing and hearing them all over town in the year to come. Write it down now, and respect me even more when I'm inevitably correct.

// Apace Beat - MySpace

A Sunny Day in Glasgow

I feel like the delicate oddness that A Sunny Day in Glasgow cultivate on record may never be completely captured in a live setting. Maybe some day a team of dedicated sound warriors might follow the kids around on a world tour and finally crack it at the St. Petersburg gig, only to have it slip through their fingers the next night leading them forever to drink. As it was the band played to the strengths that the recordings bury in their lovely layers. A rollicking drum fill here, a huge guitar wash there, a crystal keyboard tone to the middle, and the sweet melodies of the Daniels sisters throughout. Especially surprising was the almost Tom Tom Club funk level of the streamlined live "Lists, Plans."

Matt Fluxblog recounted the set in more timely detail in a post here.

// A Sunny Day in Glasgow - MySpace

And that, as they say, was that. Jay Drake (Cassettes Won't Listen if you're nasty) tried valiantly to prolong the party, but some unknown flaw between his decks and the soundsystem made it sound like ASDIG's vicious mandolin playing simultaneously blew every speaker. So, we went and got a beer instead. Such is life.

In closing, thanks to the bands, the DJ's (the Rich Girls are Weeping were swell all night by the way), and everyone who came out. The pleasure was ours. D and I'll turn up again eventually, and we won't be shy about letting you know.

// Neon Lights - MySpace

Many more lovely pictures after the jump, several hundred more on my hard drive (no joke).