Savages @ Mercury Lounge 10/19 [Show Review]

Silent, enigmatic, and vicious, Savages sonically obliterated Mercury Lounge last Friday. With hardly a word between songs and barely a moment’s rest, Savages launched barrage after barrage of rhythmically brutal, bass heavy, post-punk malice.

In an attempt to stand out from the cacophony online, bloggers readily veer towards ridiculous hyperbole, however I mean this in the sincerest of ways – Savages’ set at Mercury Lounge was an event, a rare moment in time that will doubtlessly be talked about as the band hurtles onward to dizzying levels of indie darling-hood. Like the name of an exotic cheese loudly uttered at pretentious parties, hepcats will be telling anyone that will listen about the time they saw Savages at Mercury Lounge.

Never before have I witnessed such a minimal set. No banter, no small talk – just wave after wave of music that left eardrums tattooed and perforated. Bathing the audience in their heavily Joy Division inspired sound that’s been updated with the guitar screeches and howls of shoe gaze, Savages left no time to catch your breath, let alone process what was occurring.

It’s rare to see bands today that can cut through our collective consciousness that has been deadened by the ubiquity of readily available caffeine, prescription drugs, cheap booze, and sex, but Savages is a flurry of fresh air that stands a cut above the rest of the bands out there right now.

No obvious jangling 50s rock references, no sugary sweet 60s pop inspiration, no dance floor ready electronic beats, Savages inhabits a unique space in the current world of music – similar to Television in the mid-70s, Joy Division in the late 70s, and dare I say it, the Strokes in the early aughts. Lofty references I know, but since that moment, just a few months ago, when Savages burst from out of nowhere as a fully-formed band replete with a coherent sound and aesthetic they’ve pummeled growing audiences with their audacious brand of post-punk.

In the span of only a few short months, they’ve released a freakishly good EP, sold out shows faster than Swedish House Mafia (not that I like the band, it’s just absurd how quickly they can sell out shows), and have been the subject of Hedi Slimane’s lens. Needless to say, this band’s headed places. My only fear is that the intense adoration, rocket-like rise, and close scrutiny in such a short amount of time will have an adverse effect, but I’d love to be proven wrong. Well, if their star does ever burn out, we’ll always have Mercury Lounge.

Have a gander at some raw footage taken by some nice folks who took the time to film it, I on the other hand, was far too busy thrashing about like a mad man to do anything. 

Exitmusic @ Death By Audio 1-27-12

For nearly thirty minutes last Friday, Death by Audio was converted into a place of eerie worship as Exitmusic wove a ghostly spell over a packed room, leaving everyone in a nearly catatonic state of aural bliss.

Flooding the tiny smoke-filled venue with wave after wave of ethereal incantations, Exitmusic simply overwhelmed the senses. In stunned silence, the crowd hung on every one of Aleksa Palladino’s ghoulish wails in all of their morbid beauty. “Rip your eyes out tonight” she whispered dangerously on the show’s opener “The Sea” with a voice filled with yearning, desire, and anxiety.

Seemingly tranquil, each track was rife with roiling tension that lurked just below the surface waiting to explode and engulf unsuspecting listeners. Dragging the audience down into turbulent waters rife with lushly textured melodies and filling their lungs with thunderous drums, vaporous synths, and unearthly guitar lines, Exitmusic left little room for air.

Watch the chilling video for “The Sea” and “The Hours” below, and be sure to pick up their EP From Silence, which is out via Secretly Canadian.

The Sea from EXITMUSIC on Vimeo.

EXITMUSIC - "The Hours" from stereogum on Vimeo.

Miniature Tigers and Freelance Whales @ Webster Hall, NYC 12/15

Photo Credit: Kyle Dean Reinford

Note: I was lame and left my camera at home again so this is actually a frame from their show at Webster Hall last year. I know, I really need to bring my camera with me.

On a frigid New York night, days before the holiday break, Miniature Tigers and Freelance Whales, two fun and whimsical animal themed bands, took to the stage for their final shows of the year. The energy, excitement, and frustration of their 6 week long tour came to a head as both bands let loose all their emotions for the crowd in noticeably cathartic performances.

The decaying yet resilient venue of Webster Hall served as the perfect analog for the tour weary bands, while showing a bit of wear and tear they both put on stellar performances. To be quite honest, it was the best show that I had seen all year and that is making a pretty bold statement. Given the particularly frigid temperatures, the crowd was phenomenal too as only enthused fans showed up making a good show even better with their raw energy.

Miniature Tigers took to the stage first with a blend of familiar songs from their previous album as well as newer ones from their most recent album “Fortress.” Their quirky lyrics, awkward moments, and endearing sound was on full display on classics like Cannibal Queen, Dino Damage, and Last Night’s Fake Blood as well as newer jams like Gold Skull, Japanese Woman in My Closet, and Dark Tower. Of particular note was an amazing cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire,” in which Miniature Tigers entirely transformed this classic with their fun and whimsical sound into something entirely their own.

Their charmingly unpolished energy immediately garnered them the love of the audience. For instance, lead singer, Charlie Brand repeatedly asked the crowd, “How are you doing?” before becoming bashfully aware that he was becoming repetitive in a charismatic moment of self awareness. Needless to say, it was fun and genuine Indie rock at its best without any pretence. To put their show over the edge, the Miniature Tigers were so effusive and glowing with their thankfulness of touring with the Freelance Whales that they eventually invited them on to stage to help them play a song. The sight of 4 people standing around a drum set while at least three others jammed along on tambourines was amazing!

After such a fun and energetic set, it was a painfully long wait for the Freelance Whales to begin. It also didn’t help that they needed to set up so many different instruments for this talented multi-instrumental band. But regardless the wait was worthwhile as the Freelance Whales delivered a spectacular performance with their swirling multi-faceted sound filled with their mysterious dream like lyrics, complex soundscapes, and sincerely haunting harmonies. Of particular note was the always endearing “Ghosting,” the high octane of “Generator Second Floor,” and the whimsical “Kilojoules.”

To commemorate their long tour dominated by freezing temperatures, the Freelance Whales debuted a a beautiful and contemplative song written solely about the freezing temperatures. The band also played a second new song putting the crowd into overdrive with their intricate winding melodies, multi-layered harmonies, and the steady pounding of the bass drum. If these two new songs are any indication of things to come, and I assume they are, their new album will be every bit amazing as their debut LP.

In a moment of foreshadowing, Freelance Whales warned the audience that they would be on hiatus for some time so that they could take a break and write new material, hardly surprising given the fact that they have been touring nearly non-stop since the release of their first album in 2008. Although, I see that they've schedule a show at the Vivo Wine bar on January 9th already.

Not to be outdone by the Miniature Tigers, the Freelance Whales were equally glowing in their praise of their tour mates repeatedly thanking them and showering them with compliments. At the peak of the performance they, too, invited the Miniature Tigers on to an already crowded stage to perform with them. Seeing 4 people crowded around a drum added so much indescribable energy to the stage -- really a performance to remember.

Their mutual respect for each other as musicians was clear, and to be able to participate as audience members in this mutual band love fest was a privledge. It really seemed as if this tour were a match made in heaven as both bands fit together perfectly with their blend of whimsical charm, adoring lyrics, and high energy.

If this review seems far too in praise of them, I guess it’s because I find it hard to find fault with two bands that have such good genuinely kind energy about them, especially when they put on such charming performances.