The Things That Matter
by Vicki Salos   
   

       Sometimes you go see a band that you’re minimally familiar with, and you think, “Eh, what the hell, it’s only twelve bucks.” (Yeah, remember when shows cost a single digit number? Me neither.) In the great urban melting pot that is Manhattan, there’s a lot of crap out there, and chances are you won’t be as fortunate to see anything like The Dismemberment Plan. Read on, and fear not the desolation of missing another memorable live experience.

       That statement can also be easily said about the openers as well, especially Need New Body. Six members make up the band, and they’re all interesting in their own special way. The lead singer (also the banjo player!) came on stage having a grand ole’ time dancing around to their un-poppy boppy sound. Initial reaction: these guys should make an exercise video and call it “Get New Body.” They’ve certainly got talent, but their stage presence is the ingenious part of their act. In a moment, their vocals go from sounding like Tom Waits to Chris Carraba, and the music styles also tend to jump around the decades of the last century. “Coffeehouse girl, where are you?” he asks, the band responds with a little coffee shop beat(nick). He then plunges into a dramatic and hilarious song in which the vocals repeat “You dirty bitch/Why don’t you just leave?” Take masks, a bicycle wheel as an instrument, sleigh bells, non-stop hopping around on stage, odd animal impressions, and mix it with actual musical talent. It’s a decent way to describe the NNB experience. They’re funny, modest guys looking to show the crowd a good time. Likewise, the drummer was amused when I told him that he was the closest thing to Animal (the Muppet, you fool!) I had ever experienced. Also, Ted Leo and his ever changing back-up band, the Pharmacists, definitely have a lot of talent, but something was lacking in their performance. Ted’s a serious rocker with good lyrics and a powerful sound. His on-stage style is fairly memorable, but he’s definitely a guy you’d like to check out in a small venue - yes, even smaller than the Bowery Ballroom.

       The time finally approaches, and the foursome from Washington D.C. take the stage. So much could be said about seeing The Dismemberment Plan live, and most of it cannot be put into words. Survey says they’re one of those bands that you just have to go see. Personally, it was my first experience, but it has now become a mission that it will not be the last. There was absolutely nothing missing from their set. The lyrics and the manifestation of the vocals are completely out of this world, stuck somewhere in a parallel universe between the Pixies and the Monkees. They’ve got their mushy-gushy heartfelt ballads (“Come Home”), but they rock it out harder with songs like “Bra” and “Wouldn’t You Like to Know?”

        As much as I want to tell you that Joe Easley impressed me the most, I cannot; the rest of the band is just too damn good as well. I had joked about how he looked like he was dressed to go to the gym right after the show - wearing a big white headband, mesh shorts, and a "wifebeater" - but after the work he did on the drums, it was the equivalent of that treadmill, and then some. Jason Caddell, Eric Axelson, and Travis Morrison- guitar, bass, and guitar/vocals, respectively - all get their shot at the keyboards, using samples of fire engines and colorful, cheesy blips. Another thing most laudable is that Travis is a really awesome dancer, and what makes his moves so entertaining is his overall personality. The first impression received by his entrance was one of arrogance, but it was clearly a misunderstanding. He proved not only to have a unique sense of humor, but is also a really nice guy. Why, you ask? It just seems too uncommon these days that a band invites the audience up on stage to dance with them. At first it was only two girls groovin’ with Eric, but shortly after there were at least twenty people surrounding Travis, booty shakin’ and beer spillin’ it all over the place. Proving their awesomeness even more, the band eventually took a bunch of requests at the end of the night, performing oldies like “Onward, Fat Girl” for a random fan who screamed it out.

        If you’re a CD-buyer first, concertgoer second, the best suggestion is to buy everything! (college students like me only dream we could afford things like that) Their 1995 release "!" is highly recommended, but if you want a flavor of their latest sound, check out Change, with the intricate “Superpowers.” If you are smart enough to put all of your trust into my omnipotent word, gather up the kids and catch them at their NJ and CT shows before they leave the Northeastern portion of their tour. And you think I’m kidding?

www.desotorecords.com
www.acefu.com
**all dp photos taken from the bands website**
**ted leo photo taken from ted's page**