Tonight Tonight in Music: Gravy Train!!!, the Cult, Jens Lekman
posted by on March 25 at 9:00 AM
Jens Lekman, the Honeydrips, Marla Hansen
(Neumo’s) As I listen to Jens Lekman, it’s hard to digest the fact that the man is, in fact, younger than I am. Born in 1981, Lekman has the catalog, spirit, and wit of an older man who’s been singing his stories for decades. His voice is smooth and deep like Jonathan Richman’s. “The Opposite of Hallelujah” is delivered with soaring strings, tinkering bells and piano, handclaps and tambourine, and Lekman’s soft, romantic croon. “Friday Night at the Drive-in Bingo” is even more playful. Over a bordering “smooth-jazz” saxophone, Lekman tells a story about a Friday night of “riding on his moped, looking for fun.” If that doesn’t get you to crack a smile, the fact that he rhymes “ring” with “bingo” probably will. MEGAN SELING
The Cult, the Cliks
(Showbox at the Market) Let’s not forget the Cult. You’ve heard the song “Wild Flower”; you recognize the guitar riff. Der der-der DER! In 1981, the Cult formed and became a pre to the post, as in predecessors of postrock. A psychedelic Native American goth punk was their sound. Their story is classic VH1 Behind the Music: band gets huge, sells millions of records, gets hooked on drugs, starts to hate each other, breaks up, goes into rehab, deals with lawsuits, reforms, then has their singer front the Doors. In the process, they’ve gone through 21 band members. But singer Ian Astbury and guitar player Billy Duffy have been there all along and “Wild Flower” still makes you get up and want to kick shit. The riff remains the same. TRENT MOORMAN
Gravy Train!!!!, New Bloods, Joey Casio
(Vera Project) You know when you meet that girl at a party who’s really comfortable talking about sex? She’s all over the place talking about boobs and dicks—and it’s totally cool, right? The always-controversial Gravy Train!!!! at the sterile and family friendly Vera Project is like taking that girl home to meet your parents. While Dad might love it when she shakes her ass and talks about her farts, Mom could be seriously offended when she asks her what’s up with her unbleached mustache. With the band’s notoriously sex-driven, in-your-face electro pop covering all of the hot and nasty topics previously mentioned and more, tonight at Vera could be an educational and uncomfortable time for all. CASEY CATHERWOOD
Billy Duffy wasn't actually there all along. He wasn't around in the Southern Death Cult era, he joined up with Asturbury a few years later when they became Death Cult (1983, a year later they shortened their name to The Cult). I remember "She's Sell Sanctuary" being blasted on the dance floor in the old Monastary back in the mid'-80s.
Thanks Trent now I have "Wild Flower" stuck in my head. That riff is timeless rawk though. how messed up is your band if you go though 21 members. Now if they had 21 members total on stage all the time that would be cool. Think about this, 10 guitarists, Five drummers and 5 bass players all playing "Wild Flower" while Ian screams over the top. Billy Duffy's hair would have to get bigger than it was in the 80's to make sure they saw him, or maybe he gets a spot light, I don't know. Just have to work out the kinks later.
Sometime last year I was at the 5 Point post-club, enjoying their miniature corn dogs, when at the next table, this dude’s phone rings- to the tune of “Fire Woman”. After he got off his call I turned and innocently asked the dude “Is that The Cult”? “Yeah”, he said, thinking me a fellow fan. “I fucking hate The Cult!” I shot back, a trifle over-harshly- I was still kind of saucy from the club I guess. My friends laughed, and Dude and his girlfriend were bummed. If he ever reads this comment: sorry dude, I’m not really (that much of) a dick. I just really really really fucking hate The Cult.
Mini-Corn Dogs?! Hit me with that, right now, please.
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