Date:

Tue, 2006/08/08

Venue:

Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY

Sarah Frances catches some hot rock n roll in Brookyln

Last night a somewhat mismatched set of bands were put together on the bill at Southpaw. John Carpenter started things off with his middle- of -the- road rock songs about all that glitters is gold and nights that are still young. Dark haired VV( aka Alison Mosshart of the Kills)type girls with hard stares leaned on the wall dissapprovingly and wished they hadn’t arrived so early while a couple of gray-haired guys sang along…’just before I go awayyyy.’ ” Oh, go away already!” is all I could think.

Starting their set with NO WOW, it was like The Kills had dropped a match on a pool of gasoline

Thank the gods, the ghosts, the sun and the stars that EFFI BRIEST came on next. EB are seven enchanting and talented ladies that reside mostly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Usually they play for their friends and with their peers; fellow musicians like Mike Wexler and The Double. Their stage presence is extraordinary. They are all striking, stylish and there are just so many of them. Kelsey( lead vox) stands strong in front on mile-long legs covered in black opaque tights topped with black short shorts. Her voice channels the spirits of the dead and whispers like Nico in songs such as ‘Shards’, but wails and shoots straight with Grace Slick power in other songs, like ‘Phoenix’ and in their lustrous cover of Jim Pepper’s ” The Newlywed’s Song”, when she belts out repeatedly ‘I don’t care if you married, I’m still in love you…ah wee ahh ahh ah wee ahh ahhhh!”. All the while, communally-driven layers formed a psychedelic shape as Nicky alternated between violin and acoustic guitar. Jessica, sat cross- legged and played the bongos, castenets and other assorted percussion. Corinne, banged out tribal-like rythms on her drums with giant drum- circle style mallets. Rebecca, operated the accordian, clarinet and harmonized like an angel. Sara jammed out electric leads and rythms. And since regular bassist Alianna was away, Phychil Ills bassist, stepped in sporting heels with bows and animal print tights. What a scene! So far, they just have a 2-song demo out but they have enough material to record a full album, which they plan to do soon. Hopefully, it will be real soon. By the time The Kills made it to the stage the sold out venue was filled to capacity and steaming hot. Starting their set with NO WOW, it was like they dropped a match on a pool of gasoline. VV, in a black and white striped t-shirt and jeans as tight as tights, she paced the stage like a wild animal that’s gone mental from being caged unnaturally for far too long. Her hair, a black stringy mass, soon dripped wet with that post-sex-like sweat. It stuck to her face as she sang her heart out. All the while, Hotel, twitched and tore up the guitar, glared in her direction and out beyond the audience, perhaps at the devil that haunts him.The crowd, stood transfixed, and sucked into their crazy passion. They pounded through ‘Dead Road 7’, ‘The Good Ones’, ’ Fried My Little Brains’, and many more charged up, pared down numbers. It was hot…H.O.T. !

kills5.jpg

The Kills, from www.underexposed.org

Brooklyn Reviews

The Kills, EFFI BRIEST, Mr. J Carpenter