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indie-snob>+!#
Gossip @ the bottom lounge (2-26-04)
With young people, tyrades, the ponys |
 If you ask me, there is such a thing as blues punk. It’s different than whatever garage rock revival has been rumored of late and is less sophisticated than the new White Stripes. However, the self-titled era may bring back something more familiar of what I'm talking about. In the Gossip's case, these young musicians are influenced less by Detroit AC/DC revival and more by the gospel church of their Memphis roots. Lead singer Beth Ditto wails like the best of Deep South soul, and all from a fair skinned white girl. The guitar is often simple three chord punk style with a bit more of a blues riff fair with simple drum patterns. It literally is punk at its best. (And I really want the Gossip shirt that says: GOXXIP IS PUNK.) Opening first was a trio off of Kill Rock Stars called Young People. Most simply, the Young People are a folk band with attitude. Imagine Low mixed with Deerhoof or some strange hybrid of the sort; the Young People are doing similar things with folk music as a band like the Books have by adding new elements to the genre and taking a very experimental approach. The female lead singer started off on drums before moving to the front and taking bass/violin. The guitarists both played guitars too small for them, looking maybe like children's instruments re-outfitted for the band. And along with the striking appearance and arrangement of the band came their striking sound, banging on pots, scraping an out of tune (or perhaps a specially tuned) violin with the bow and using a glass slide on the guitar. It's no wonder the Young People have been featured on 5RC comps, a label that rewards experiments in music. I strongly recommend the band's new album along with their live show. Grade: A-  Young People during "Tammy Faye" The Tyrades come out with a high-powered construction lamp to shine on them during their set. The female lead singer thrashed around as the band played carefully constructed discordant, guitar-heavy rock. Maybe it's the female vocals or the more clean-cut, non-scenester appearance of the band, but the Tyrades play a brand of hardcore that I don't feel ridiculous for liking. Not only that, but the vocals are actually audible, and, dare I say it, decipherable. It's not like I usually enjoy thrashing music that much, and I can't say that I enjoy it much while listening to it at home, but while I'm out at a show trying to have a good time, it somehow seems so welcomed. Plus, the Tyrades put on an active, slightly insane show without the crowd to follow. So, for god's sake, if you like Daughters, trade that crap in for the Tyrades. Grade: B+  Tyrades Recently, the Ponys have received a boatload of critical acclaim. I mean, they actually played at Siren Fest. Siren. Why? I don't even know! Their show at the Bottom Lounge was perhaps one of the most uneventful performances I've ever seen from a band, and especially one with that much hype. Largely, they stayed still playing loud droning music that never really seemed to go anywhere. Occasionally, I'd start getting into one of their songs only to get bored, slightly fed-up of the constant shoegazer guitar. I guess recently there's been a comeback in this style, but I couldn't find much reason to support the Ponys in their attempts. I've since bought their album (because it was $7 on vinyl), and still found myself facing the same questions: why does every song sound the same? And, not to mention: why does every song bore me? Grade: C-  Ponys Before the Gossip's set, queercore hero Nomy Lamm came out to talk about the Phat Camp program, a place that fosters a positive body image for the weight-conscious youth. It was just a nice way to see how socially active a group like the Gossip is, who may stay a bit more quiet through their music, but is still so able to speak out for the issues they care about. Did I mention Beth Ditto is possibly the cutest woman on earth? Because she is. She danced around stage while Nathan stood in his corner playing guitar and Kathy stayed quiet banging on her drums. Beth is possibly the perfect frontwoman for a band. She's loud and soulful while singing but quiet and charismatic while talking to the audience. She asked about a gift to buy for the Young People and the crowd suggest a dildo and was then told where she could get one (actually I believe Nomy said Early to Bed, a dildo shop where she hosts a queer open mic every month). Even though the Gossip was only given 40 minutes for their set, the band tried to cram in as much as possible. They went through jam after jam, covering all of their albums and all of their signature songs. And, with this, I got a lot more from hearing everything live. I never realized what a positive message and biographical approach songs like "Arkansas Heat" had. The Gossip do what every great band should: reinvent their music for the live show. So often, I go to a show and hear the exact same thing I could have played on my CD player at home. Nothing will top the Faint (who merely pressed a button and then looked pretty for an hour), but to be honest, I've seen far too many shows this way. Beth Ditto changed her timing, pitch and tempo of many of the songs, which is always fun to hear live. I like to feel like I'm getting something special, and by god, with the Gossip, I did. Grade: A  Beth Ditto of the Gossip Related Reviews: |