BANDS WHAT ARE PLAYING THIS WEEKEND
That We Didn't Write About Already
1. The Irish Band
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Maggie, the Elders are playing both nights this weekend at the Record Bar. Some people think the Elders are big cheeseballs. They kind of are. Some think they're fookin' great. They kind of are. Persnickety Irish folk geeks think the band rips off Irish trad. music and fuses it sloppily and shamelessly with bloated American rock. They... who the F cares? I've seen the Elders twice, and I've had a blast both times. The second time, which was the last time they played the Record Bar, I even drunkenly accosted the lead singer, Ian Byrne (who's unashamedly into the music onstage), and asked if I could by buy him a shot. [Thanks to cantakerous bastard Pete Maher for pointing out the typo. -- JH, 4/30]
Though I do have a weakness for Irish music, I'm a discerning fellow for the most part. Or at least, I don't like to be bored, and the Elders don't bore me. If you hate Celtschmerz, don't go, but if you're at all open to catchy hooks with fiddle and accordion jigs thrown in, you'll probably be yelping along with everyone else when the Elders sing "and doin' an Irish dance yiiiee." You don't even have to pay attention to Byrne's lyrics about immigration to America.
At the same time, why do I feel like this is a waste of a good venue this weekend? They'll make a lot of money, and there's something to be said for a local band being able to do that at an independent, local venue this weekend, but both nights? Ah feck it, Maggie, it'll sound greeet.
2. OH SH*T IT'S BOYZ II MEN!
There'll be some Cooley High harmonizin' up in the VooDoo Lounge this Saturday, when Boyz II Men (not ABC, not BBD) come to town. Sure, the earnest East Coast R&B trio may have had five #1 hits in five years in the '90s and may have sold 60 million records worldwide over the past 15 years, but, to my generation, they're the sugarloafs who wrote that "End of the Road" song we had to slow dance to at every damn high school dance. High school dances are lame. I shouldn't admit that I went to them. But I did. Because when you're in high school, girls are HOT. So thank you, Boyz II Men, for your contribution to our sentimental education. Too bad that two of the Boyz are fat now, but, hey, they're rich. They probably still get pussy. Until the end of the road.
3. The Various Other Bands
If the Elders and the equally elderly Boyz ain't enough for ya, then try these:
Friday
The Rich Boys, Black Gasoline and No Man No at the Brick
(all I'll say is that Black Gasoline rocks and they were there the night the Rich boys and I made each other famous)
Download: Dirty White T-Shirt by Black Gasoline
Nomathmatics at the Embassy: I have a hip-hop friend and an indie rock friend, and both of them are girls, and both of them dance like sea monkeys to this DJ collective, with other girls who like other things. What I'm saying is they appeal to an eclectic crowd, most of whom are girls. So if you wanna dance with girls, go here. It's in the place that used to be Muddy's at the T of Westport and Main. (NOTE: They probably won't be playing "End of the Road.")
Saturday
The Pink Socks, the Bleeding Hands and Select Five at Davey's Uptown Rambler's Club: That one band, the Select Five, cites Reel Big Fish and 311 as influences, so I can't vouch for them, but the Bleeding Hands and the inimitable, extravagant and ruthless Pink Socks are all about rock and roll like what preacher man was talking about before he started preaching. If only these guys would put out some records, or at least get some songs up on MySpace (Socks!).
Oh. Hell. Yes.
Ska bands like to have fun. Who their influences are doesn't matter. If you like to watch a band that really enjoys the music they are playing, go to a ska show.
Rat
Posted at: April 17, 2007 1:56 PM