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GO
w/
Spiraling, Shout Out Louds
The
Mercury Lounge
February 5th 2004
by Shawna Adams
From the start, it is clear that Chicago's
Ok Go are having a blast. Frontman/guitarist Damian Kulash
leads with playful vocals and his signature infectious smile,
while Tim Nordwind rocks the black-rimmed glasses as hard
as he rocks the bass, Dan Kanopka's meticulous drumming unlocks
many of the band's intricate rhythms, and Andy Duncan bounces
between keyboard, guitar, and the tambourine. In fact, it's
Andy's tambo that kicks things off in "Don't Ask Me", from
their self-titled debut album. Though the catchy, upbeat songs
are already captivating in their own right, the real gem of
this band is their lyrics. With lyrics that range from just
plain fun to surprisingly intellectual, the music remains
as unpretentious as the band's modest demeanor. "There's a
Fire" stands out, ending with a terrific trumpet solo. |
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In between songs, Damian takes
the opportunity to both flirt with the crowd and to talk about
their new songs. (Currently, they're busy recording a sophomore
release, expected out in late summer/ early fall.) "This one
is pretty likeable, I think," Damian speculates about "This
Thing is Started," one of ze newies. The band ends their set
on an unanticipated and fantastically astounding note, performing
a complicated dance to their song "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips," which
proves that Ok Go could easily kick N Sync's butt not just musically
but choreographically. |
www.okgo.net
Shout
Out Louds:
Shout
Out Louds, hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, opened the show.
Lead singer Adam Olenius croons his way through the compelling
guitar-driven, 80s rock. The shining star of their set, "100
Degrees", stands apart with sole female member Bebban Stenborg's
Mooging. Drummer Eric Edman and bassist Ted Malmros add to
the rocking music. Featuring maracas and tambourines, played
by guitarist Carl von Arbin, Shout Out Louds play a set perfect
for dancing, as amply displayed by a group of fans dancing
excitedly to the music in the front row.
www.shoutoutlouds.com |
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Spiraling:
Rising local band Spiraling followed;
after a loud and friendly "HI!" from lead singer and keyboardist
Tom Brislin, the rocking 80s funk band dives immediately into
"Holy Grail." With a live show a lot harder than their album
Transmitter hints at, it's hard not to be drawn into their
set. The adrenaline never stops as drummer Paul Wells smoothly
transitions from one song to the next without missing a beat.
Before going into "This is the Road," the band pauses for
guitarist Marty O'Kane to tune his guitar, while Brislin explains,
"he [O'Kane] tunes because he cares about you!" The most dynamic
song of the set, "Lightning Twice," features a stunning keyboard
riff that leaves the audience breathless. Following that anthem
is the closer, "Grow Up," a softer song driven by the keyboard
melody and bass, played by Bob Hart. Spiraling returned for
an encore performance of Devo's "Whip It," ending their outstanding
set on an energetic and unforgettable note.
www.spiraling.net |
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