[Trash-talk] Walkmen / Weird War @ the Casbah (concert review, NGR)

[blisteringheat]

Weird War opened the night (two hours late) and without a doubt proved to
be the better of the two bands. I didn't know anything about them before
the show, but apparently they are sort of  a supergroup of a couple of
indie projects: The Make-Ups and Royal Trux. Ian Svenonius fronts the
group, along with beautiful Michelle Mae on bass and Neil Hagerty on
guitar.  I really don't know how to describe their music, though it is
obviously influenced by funk as well by the Velvet Underground, The Rolling
Stones and the Doors. Each song begins with a sort of rhythmic musical
piece with Ian Svenonius reading the lyrics to the song as if reciting a
poem. This then leads in to the song itself. It worked really well most of
the time, only getting  a little old towards the end. Svenonius sort of
resembles Lou Reed, and his stage presence evokes Jim Morrisson and a young
Mick Jagger. The music is loud, exciting and fun. If only that spirit had
carried on for the next band.

** out of ***

The Walkmen were a major dissapointment. A major ripoff of the Strokes,
they were twice as energetic as that band but only half as talented. Nearly
every song came dangerously close to turning into a cover of "Is This It".
When you read the hype surrounding this band and their supposed influences
(Joy Division, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground, the Cure) it was
definitely surprising to hear none of that in their music. Maybe with their
records it's a different story, I don't know. Halfway through their set the
place was already emptying out.

* out of ***

pongo



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when did i get perverted
i can't remember your name
i'm growing introverted
you touch my hand but it's not the same...