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Concert Review: Nobunny, Reports, Maine Coons, Rat City Three @ PA’s Lounge (6/29/10)

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Artists: Nobunny, Reports, Maine Coons, and Rat City
Three
Location: PA’s Lounge, Somerville, MA
Date: Tuesday,  June 29, 2010

Act I: Rat City Three
Chris: These guys rocked out pretty hard and had some good grooves flowin’, but ultimately didn’t do much for me because they sounded exactly like the Hardcore Punk we’ve been served for just about thirty years now. Even though I wasn’t alive when the greats like Minor Threat and Black Flag came into existence, I can still safely say those artists were cutting edge, cultivating a new style of music, drenched with anger and frustration that was unheard of. Since then, countless (seriously) groups have formed and emulated that sound to no end. For me, I need more. Some kind of expansion. Perhaps I’m missing something? Either way, I think musically RC3 sounded decent and if you’re a hardcore fanatic, check em’ out.

Glen:These guys hurt my ears. Their style of hardcore punk doesn’t do anything for me. It’s fast and aggressive and the dudes probably deserved a mosh pit, but the idle crowd didn’t seem to really care.

Act II: Maine Coons
Chris: Ahh, now this was a real treat. Ok, so maybe those who aren’t as enthusiastic about Garage music as much I am (though, I don’t consider myself a Garage Enthusiast; I don’t own the Nuggets compilations!)would share my sentiment for Rat City Three with the Maine Coons. Perhaps. But, for this guy, the Coons spiced up the evening with some noisy, crude (musically and lyrically- “I Am A Motherfucker”), and even strangely spiritual (“H.L.I.I.G.T.F.Y.T.F.G” or “How Is It Going to Take For You To Find God”) The latter stood out the most to me and I can imagine everyone else in the room. MC conists of two dudes: one on keyboards and vocals and the other on vocals, guitar, and percussion a la Mark Sultan. The duo had a bit of jittery, “where are we?” kinda vibe to them, which perfectly complemented the music and their set. One of the members hilariously stated that they didn’t expect anyone to show up and that they could not deal with the pressure of this stadium setting (I’m paraphrasing). I really dug this aesthetic and I can certainly say the Maine Coons are a band I will be keeping my eye on. If you are especially into groups like the Black Lips-King Khan & BBQ Show-Almighty Defenders, then the Maine Coons are FOR YOU, FOR YOU, FOR YOU…

Glen:Like Chris said and like I expressed in my little band spotlight, these guys were memorable as ever! Definitely struck me as KK+BBQ off the bat with a tidbit of more psychobilly flavor. I’m surprised the best of their songs on Myspace have only gotten a couple of hundred views. They’ve got to get recognized by the In The Red or a similar label!

Act III: Reports
Chris: Ok, I am going to be square with y’all. I don’t remember anything about this band’s set, except for headbanging to it. So, I must have enjoyed the music at the time. I apologize for not having anything more to say. I would much rather be honest than make some shit up.

Glen:I remember these guys being fun. Not really memorable memorable (as Maine Coons), but fun. Listening to them now on their Myspace, it seems like something that should’ve stood out much more than it did.


Act IV: Nobunny!!!!!
Chris: YESSSSS! So, I’m standing right up front, right in front of the obnoxiously small stage (it was actually pretty cool), then allasudden, three giant bunnies push right thru me and the other anticipating attendees. Nobunny! and crew hit the stage, decked out in their undies and bunny masks and ears and what have ya. Nobunny, himself, even has a pair of handcuffs attached to his underwear. He proclaims (at least I remember him saying this, unless it was my imagination running wild) that last time we were here, we tried to burn the place down. This time we are. This song is called “Burn the Place Down!” And they burst right into the Rock and Roll fun and of course scorching, beautiful mayhem ensued: Moshing, Pogoing, dancing, beers flyin’, duckwalking, singing along to all yer faves! The trio (well this time there was only there, as I stated before) then launched into classics like “Boneyard,” “It’s True,” “Somewhere New, “I Am a Girlfriend,” “Not That Good,” amongst others. Since, Nobunny jammed on the guitar while singing this time, he didn’t interact as much with the crowd (though he still did more than most frontmen) as he did the last time I saw him (just singing). But, to make up for that the audience was far more into it than the crowd I was with before when I saw him open for Jay Reatard on the Shattered Tour, and even at that show I would say the kids were into it then. But, this time I was flying around, bashing back and forth into folks, and nearly smashing my skull into the cymbals. I noticed the microphone stand was knocked down at one point. The evening culminated with the great sing along and rocker, “Chuck Berry Holiday,” the perfect closer for this performance.

Glen: Brilliance from the bunny man. I expected no less. Though I can’t remember every song played, I can mentally revisit the Burn The Place Down remark, Nononononobunny loves you, and BONEYARD! In my crazy state of mind, I thought BONEYARD was a MIKA MIKO cover. What the fuck was I thinking?! Also after 3 songs nononononobunnee said they were being kicked out and had only one more song. Papa KLYAM recalled after that this was particularly troubling and once the band jammed out five more, he was even more bewildered and remarked to sister KLYAM that nonononobunnee insisted only one more. Well, thankfully the bunny man and Elvis Christ and Tony the Tiger or whatever his name is stuck around. I fell a bunch of times. Banged my right hand on Elvis’ cymbals and picked up the downed microphone stand. I AM A GIRLFRIEND was wonderful. CHUCK BERRY was a hell of a finisher. After the show Chris and I scrambled to find the man behind the mask. And whatever happened after that will never be known. TOP SECRET.

Grade:
Chris: I had tons of fun and enjoyed the willd and crazy allure of the mysterious Nobunny. I am pleased to have discovered a new essential band in Maine Coons. And lastly, I appreciated my first experience at the PA’s Lounge.

Glen:A-, This was a quality ass show. Among the funnest concert experiences was during the Nobunny set. Musically, I couldn’t absorb much, but it was just a hell of a time.


Not from the show the other night, but still a sick vid!

Mark Sultan, Quotes, rant

Sultan On Korea/KKBBQ

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I [Glen] will admit that I’ve been posting a lot of hearsay on what has happened in far off nations concerning Mark Sultan, King Khan, the break-up and tour dates. Mark has read some of the comments and wanted to set the record straight on what has happened. His frustration towards what has been posted is understandable.

Mark wrote to me:
I have tried posting on your comment board, but nothing is registering. I knew it was me solo in Korea. You know how I knew? Cuz I played by myself. Please quit with the conjecture. That promoter was super nice and apologetic and is now trying to earn street cred by siding with the popular guy, even though khan destroyed his friend’s place, etc… I remained calm thru everything and soldiered on to finish this. The day before Seoul, the promoter did a mailout claiming khan would also be in Seoul and perhaps we would play together. I told him we were enemies and that all khan needed was rest and to see his family. I show up at thr venue and who jumps out of a cab but the promoter and khan – guitar in hand. Sorry, but that is underhanded. Speaking of overly sensitive, this two-faced asshole promoter – who I treated with kindness throughout – was tearing up like a baby and shaking like a leaf. Everyone may have preconceived notions about me, but I SWEAR that all I did in Korea and after Australia in general, was to finish the tour and help folks not lose their asses completely by playing free, etc… Enough Internet bullshit. You wanna know something? Ask me. I was trying to get the promoter to bring my suitcase to the club all day, cuz his place was 45 mins from the club (and khan was staying there) and my set was slated for like 1 or 2 am and I had to leave for airport at 6am and STILL needed to pack everything post-show. He told me it was impossible and he was busy, etc yet he still managed to bring khan to the show. I don’t know what else to say. You guys will talk shit no matter what, and I admittedly built this persona, so I shall lay in it.

The following was posted on The King Khan & BBQ Show Facebook page by Mark:
Now, when me and Khan first strated the band, we were hesitant to name it ‘The King Khan & BBQ Show’, as the Shrines already had existed for a bit (and were doing great) but also cuz the potential for bandname misspellings etc… were gonna happen (and did): King Kahn & The BBQ, . I guess we made an error thinking people could differentiate the two bands. KKBBQ was started with the goal to play the roles of yin and yang and maximize the energy of that. I would be the quiet grump, Khan the active showman. For a while, we hit our stride and were a perfect symbiosis. When Khan started getting tons of attention, I admit, I was miffed. I thought: “What about my songs, my voice, my MUSIIC?”… But I realized early that that was OKAY. Khan was destined to be that star type guy and I was destined to be someone more serious about the musical side and less recognizable. That was the ONLY time I felt overshadowed. I have understood that Khan is the face of the band for years – i am NOT naive. But I loved the music so much, that it didnt matter. That’s where people like Sean come in. They ask for ‘us’ to play, but would rather the Shrines (and rightly so, they RULE), but are troo cheap to get that band OR just figure “I want Khan”, and have no knowledge that this band even exists. Fair enough. We are under the radar and don’t appeal to everyone. But then, do the right thing and brting what you really want or don’t AT ALL. Because it is very frustrating for BOTH of us. When a promoter like Sean writes a bunch about the Shrines for our press, it is worrysome. And when Khan bails and I am to play alone in Seoul and the guy writes ‘and maybe Khan will sign some autographs’, it just sucks. Personal taste is one thing, but bias in promotion, where you are affecting peoples opinions and tastes… It’s irresponsible. Same goes with playing in a far away land, invited as KKBBQ specifically to play for Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, and then being promoted as either Khan’s show or ‘too bad it ain’t the Shrines’ type journalism… it sucks. Touring is stressful and long – especially from Europe to Australia and Asia. So if you don’t know who WE are as a BAND (THAT is the most important thing to me) and don’t give a fuck who I am and, in fact, wish it was another band, that is not sensitivity on my part, but frustration that we came so far to be put in that situation. That i am meaningless to pop-culture tastemnakers is fine, but don’t devalue me. I know Khan is a ‘star’, and he is great at it. But like moist ‘stars’, they are fragile at times. And if you feed into that side of him, the schism between our yin and yang grows massive, and makes things like Sydney happen (once again, i was FRUSTRATED that such an important show went to shit). Essentially, i will write and play my music forever, through many forms of obscurity, without some folks’ backing, cuz that is what i do. Now you go do YOUR job and understand what you are bringing and stop and think a bit before you treat people like shit. BTW – all was fine in China. i have no idea why they feel that way. Oh well.

Almighty Defenders, Black Lips, King Khan, Mark Sultan, Music

How Does KK+BBQ Break-Up Affect Almighty Defenders?

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“Black Lips + King Khan & BBQ” is now “Black Lips + King Khan + BBQ” or is it? Will the Almighty Defenders legacy continue or will die just like the King Khan & BBQ Show? Surely, Sultan and Khan are only 2/7 of the super-group, but if there is some bad blood between two of them at the moment, wouldn’t that make things kind of awkward? We’ll see next Wednesday when the Defenders play at Sled Island.

CD Review, Entertainment, Mark Sultan, Music

CD Review: The Ding-Dongs S/T [2010]

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Band: The Ding-Dongs (Mark Sultan & Bloodshot Bill)
Release: 5/2010
Label: Norton

1. “Ding-Dong Party” – B+
2. “Don’t Ring, Come On In” – A-
3. “Until I Die” – B+
4. “Come On Lil Dolly” – B+
5. “She’s A Tiger” – B+
6. “Woman Cops” – A–
7. “Knock Me Down” – B
8. “You Better Hide” – A-
9. “Military Mama” – C+
10. “Worried Man” – B-
11. “What’s That Sound” – A
12. “Crazy Dreams” – B
13. “Last Laugh” – B

Comments: BYODD. Bring your own ding-dong. That seems like the most logical thing to do at a “Ding Dong Party.” Bloodshot and Mark sing with such conviction that I almost forgot that the concept of such a song is total cheese. The same goes for pretty much all the tracks on this record. As you’d probably guess (judging by the ghost of Mark Sultan and Bloodshot Bill past), this is textbook Rockabilly For Dummies or Primitive Rock and Roll for Junkies. “Woman Cops” stuck in my head since I heard it first a few months ago. Walking down the street or sitting down reading a book, the words “Woman Cops, when you love to beat me” suddenly came to me. It’s such a quick song that I got a feeling of, wait a second, I don’t remember it being THIS short! Oh well! Good track. As I mentioned when I reviewed Waylon Thornton’s latest offering…there is only so much you can do within this kind of framework without really changing things up. True, a lot of these songs are just undifferentiated old school party numbers. Unless, you are listening with absolute acuity, it’s hard to argue otherwise. “What’s That Sound” is more gritty and resolute, more instantly catchy than any other track on here. To answer the song title’s question…I’ll guess pee pee. All right, so let’s get something clear: if you are a die-hard Bloodshot Bill fan, you’ll be loving this. If you are a die-hard Mark Sultan fan, but only like BB marginally (who am I talking about?), you’ll be liking this. If you don’t like anything either of the two have put out (in their respective bands), shit, you are out of luck. BUT WAIT…if I like the King Khan and BBQ Show, will I like this? Not as much as you probably wanted to. This is like Hunts Ketchup vs. Heinz Ketchup. Hunts just doesn’t match up.

Grade: B (86)

Entertainment, King Khan, Mark Sultan, Music, News

KK+BBQ To Finish Dates

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Word on the street courtesy of Bloodshot Bill (Tandoori Knights co-founder with Khan and Ding-Dongs co-founder with Sultan…talk about being in the middle of things!) courtesy of Facebook:

yo, BBQ himself asked me to post this on behalf of the band:
“king khan & BBQ want everyone to know that they are going to play all dates left on their asian tour. It’s on!”

That sounds inspiring. If I had to make a guess Kristin Klein, tour manager of KK+BBQ’s East Coast Autumn 2009 Tour and many other bands that KLYAM loves, will do everything in her power to get these dudes to reconcile and continue. It’s been mentioned before…but might this whole thing be a mere exaggeration or prank? Seriously. Maybe not, but seriously?

King Khan, Mark Sultan, Music, News

KK+BBQ Break-Up?! WTF!

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I come home from an enjoyable vacation only to read about the possible ending of one of my favorite bands consisting of two of my favorite muscians…say what the fuck? King Khan (apparently) wrote a huge ass letter to The Daily Swarm after KK+BBQ’s performance in Australia and said:

http://www.thedailyswarm.com/swarm/king-khan-vs-sydneys-opera-house-starring-lou-reed-laurie-anderson-rubber-snakes-chinese-food-tai-chi-and-demise-king-khan-bbq-show/

We were literally told to “tone it down a notch.” This message was conveyed to us in a threatening manner and they implied we’d be kicked out the festival. With very little hesitation, I heeded the warning… no snake….no food…. I merely spilled some wine on the floor several times, an ancient gang ritual to commemorate the dead. (Jay Reatard & BJ Womack R.I.P.) At the end of the show instead of the snake I launched my guitar into the audience. The audience caught it and threw it back…. this exchange happened several times and the show was over. Returning to the backstage I opened the door to a scowling BBQ…. A HUGE SCREAMING MATCH ensued and so went the demise of the King Khan & BBQ show…. we agreed that this would be the last show ever. Wow…. what a way to die!!!! After nearly 7 years…. oh well… Lets get fucked up!!!!

I proceeded to feel very emotional… one moment in tears, crying about how two of my best warriors brothers would never know that we made it to the opera house…. I cried because this was the end of a very destructive path i had followed… it made me the world greatest sinner. Thanks to Lou and Laurie… I was beginning to see the light.

Is this true? Is it false?