The music of Harvey Danger is hard to put a finger on and it's even
harder to find a niche to place them in. Flagpole Sitta has had much
airplay on alternative radio and MTV, but is not a good representative of the
band on the whole. Their music has a tongue-in-cheek twist that comes out in
their live show, which includes adding Walkin' Round In Circles to Flagpole:
a little dig in the ribs of Supersonic, one of the groups that didn't
front. Playing songs from "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone",
Sean Nelson's vocals rang strong above the hard drums and guitar
of Jeff J Lin; Nelson playing touch-&-go
keyboards added an extra dimension to an already solid ensemble. Although they
did not come in on the best light, Harvey Danger more than overcame the situation to put on a
very good show.
Marcy Playground has been one of the most talked-about new bands
of the year. With their debut self-titled CD going platinum in the US they're
well on their way to being one of the exclusive groups that reach Superstardom.
If their live show is any indication, they will be around for a long time to
come! Playing at this gig, Marcy Playground
showed the wide range of style and talent that make up this trio. Some bands
can't achieve with twice the players the power produced by Marcy's
music. Playing from the album and some of the most unique jams, they kept up
the energy of the arena. The jam, a mixture of hard-core drumming and mystic
guitar, made a wave of urgency that came through to the back; pinning you on
your seat in eager anticipation of what will come next. Marcy Playground's
music speaks to the little school mouse in me and puts voice to all the school
mice who have been stuck in the classroom hiding from the schoolyard bully.
Less
Than Jake is one of
the most entertaining bands to see live. The only problem is that it would be
nice to hear the music too. All that could be heard was a jumble of noise that
sounded as if it was mixed in a Quisenart. Coming all the way out from New York
to be at a show they were not advertised to perform in, they gave more than
their all, but the mix was so bad that it was hard to sit through the set. The
stage show was exciting and full of energy, which is had to find in this age of
angst-ridden pasty-faced men whining about their sad upper-middle-class
upbringings. Like Spinal Tap, however, Less Than Jake have amplifiers
that go to 11 and had them cranked all the way. This is not necessary for a
group with such strong songwriting under their hats. Ska-punk hybrids are a
touchy mix as it is: too much brass and it sounds like a big band; too little
and you get flat, fatigued guitar riffs. The mix is perfect on the latest
album, but it needs to come through in the live show as well.
In a very mixed room, from ska to swing, Marcy Playground
made a very big impact. The self-proclaimed 'shy guy' looks comfortable on
stage and in command of his audience. From the bad-mix of Less Than Jake to the
no-superlative-will-cover-it Marcy Playground
spot, this was one helluva night - KWOD
106.5 Twisted Christmas 99, roll
on!