M.O.T.O. at Cake Shop
I do not know for a fact whether every M.O.T.O. song is in 4/4 time as suggested by lead singer Paul Caporino's "a 1-2-3-4" intro to most of their songs, but I can certainly believe it. M.O.T.O.'s music is about the most straightforward rock-n-roll ever. Their songs use lyrics and chords sparingly, just a few per song, but are chock full of bouncy, boisterous energy.
Their sound has been called "caveman rock" but I would say it is more like "neanderthal". Think about how early rock music evolved into punk rock. Can you imagine an alternate evolutionary path, one which led to something which is just as loud and just as simple, but somehow... different? M.O.T.O. is that other, the one which is just a little funny looking but is basically the same thing and can still pummel you senseless. The biggest difference between this and punk is that M.O.T.O. is rarely serious. They aren't protesting or dwelling on negativity, they're just trying to have some fun. And they succeeded yet again.
D.O.A. at Club Europa
D.O.A. played their "Final NYC Show" at Club Europa. Then an hour later they played a secret show at The Grand Victory. Sure, why not? Actually, that's the same thing The Dwarves did two weeks earlier. I think both shows were put on by Scenic Presents. Okay, I get the hint.
This was probably the tightest performance I've seen from D.O.A. While they did do one new song (about the Trayvon Martin case I believe) they mostly stuck to "The Classics". Maybe it is because they have played them so many times over the years but they nailed every single one and the audience loved it. Maybe it's because they were giving the audience exactly what they wanted, hmmm?
Posted: 9/15/2013 at 7:36pm Tags: Club Europa D.O.A. Scenic Presents
Barrence Whitfield and The Savages at The Bell House
Barrence Whitfield is one agile fellow considering that (how do I put this delicately?) he's been doing this for a while. Hell, I thought Ken Boothe was surprisingly agile, jumping around as he did. Barrence Whitfield was doing somersaults off the monitors. Dang.
Posted: 9/15/2013 at 12:34am Tags: Barrence Whitfield and The Savages The Bell House
Har Mar Superstar at Brooklyn Bowl
For such a big venue this felt like an awfully small show.
Early in his career Har Mar Superstar performed solo, singing over a backing track provided by a minidisc player. Although the player is still there, nowadays he usually performs with a band and/or dancers. For example at this show he had a guitarist and drummer.
The thing is, Har Mar is not just the center of attention but pretty much the entire spectacle. His dancing and singing are what it is all about. So while the band provided a little something, the performance was really all about this one guy on a huge stage. It didn't feel right. Too cavernous. I picture Har Mar Superstar performing on a small stage at a place with lower ceilings. Somewhere more intimate even if the dance floor is still spacious. But hell he's been doing it for ten years so what do I know?
Posted: 9/10/2013 at 8:58pm Tags: Brooklyn Bowl Har Mar Superstar
Delicate Steve at Glasslands Gallery
Delicate Steve. That is not the world's best nickname. Fortunately I'm pretty sure it's the name of the band, not lead singer/guitarist Steve Marion. Unfortunately he's going to get stuck with it anyway. We all know very well it's going to happen.
They are best known as the band behind the world's most bullshit press release. The press release was such impressive bullshit that it was reported on by NPR. Yes really.
Posted: 9/7/2013 at 4:22pm Tags: Delicate Steve Glasslands Gallery
