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The
Things That Matter 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
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-
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 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 |