The Black Lips Own You
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The Black Lips are one of the most bad ass, rocking, no bullshit bands around. If you do not already have their new album, Good Bad Not Evil, you should get it immediately and listen to it over and over. Each time you listen to it, you will grow 50% cooler than you currently are now. I have many items of evidence with which to prove this.
Item One: The kind of crazy love they inspire in their fans.
This was clearly evidenced by a recent incident in which a super-fan climbed to the top of the globe statue in Columbus Circle in roller skates and attempted to distribute flyers for their show. Via Pitchfork and the New York Times:
A 57-year-old man wearing in-line skates climbed atop the large metal globe outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle and threw out confetti and fliers promoting a rock band before being arrested, the police said. The man, identified as Richard Fredette of East 10th Street, climbed into the globe at 1 Central Park West shortly before 2:30 p.m. Witnesses said Mr. Fredette then climbed to the top, pulled an orange out of his pocket and held it aloft. "Then he started eating it," said Sarah Shenfeld, 24, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. After throwing the fliers, he descended voluntarily, with help from officers. Mr. Fredette was charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct, the police said. Asked what the police believed to be the motivation for the stunt, a lieutenant said, "Publicity."
How fucking great is that? I love it that the New York Times actually printed such a story. Their current love of all things indie rock sure makes them print some wacky, amazing shit. But what's even greater is how the band responded on their MySpace page:
We, the Black Lips, would like to send our love to this super fan. We would like to add that He, Richard Fredette, will be added to the Black Lips guest list for both New York Shows if he'd like to come out.
Bowery Ballroom- Sept. 18
Music Hall of Williamsburg- Sept. 19
We've never met or talked to Richard before, but we now hear his cry and are beginning to understand his appreciation for the Black Lips. Although we don't condone risking your life on roller skates to help promote our shows, we do think doing it on top of the world is pretty cool!
Luv, Black Lips
The Black Lips love you as much as you love them.
Item Two: They know how to turn a regular old concert into a party.
Before their show at the new and awfully named "Music Hall of Williamsburg" last night, they decided to play a FREE SHOW at
Soundfix Records just up the street, a rad independent music store and concert venue that never charges a cover. They played some acoustic songs and brought some friends with them, friends who did burlesque and acrobatic tricks. At least that's what I could surmise from the back of the audience...the Black Lips' awesomeness was too large to be contained in such a small space, and as such it was too crowded to see much. Then after the circus was over, the parade started. A marching band came in, and everyone's eyes lit up with looks that said, "OMFG, a parade!" Everyone followed the Black Lips and their marching band out the door, and before I knew it, I was dancing down the street to some twisted New Orleans style parade-jazz. There was face paint and glitter and confetti surprises. At one point I ended up holding the megaphone that the head marching band guy was singing through. Woo!
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When we reached the venue, everyone stood around trying to decide if they wanted to pay $15 to see a band they'd just seen. Some broke ass bitches (i.e. my friend and I) were being pretty lame about it. Then we slapped ourselves in the faces, said, "DUH BITCHES, IT'S THE MOTHERFUCKING BLACK LIPS," and went inside.
Item Three: In addition to being crazy, fun, and loving towards their fans, the Black Lips are also actually really good.
After making me suffer through some boring opening bands (and by "suffer," I mean "drink and check out guys"), the Black Lips knocked my socks off. They didn't pee on each other or suck each other's dicks like they did once upon a time, but I couldn't complain; I was still getting quality entertainment...and the musicianship has definitely improved since they started devoting more attention to what they're playing, and less to how many bodily fluids they can spray the audience with in 30 minutes. Their self-described "flower punk" has elements of garage, punk, and blues, and a dash of psychedelia. The songs are simple but incredibly catchy, and they deliver them with a confidence born of several years of solid touring and practice. If the new album has refined their sound a little, it certainly hasn't lost any of that dirty southern punk flavor that made the Lips famous. I danced like a puppet on meth, and a group of kids down in front (I use the term "kids" loosely") moshed and crowd surfed non-stop through the set. I take back what I said about Brooklyn people not dancing; I've been to enough shows in Brooklyn lately where people were just going nuts to venture a guess that my borough is leading a resurgence in rocking out that is hopefully going to spread all over the world.
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Item Four: They know how to throw an after-party.
Ok, so after a post-show pit stop at one of my favorite watering holes, I was too drunk to drag myself to the after party...but I heard it was at a freaking bowling alley. A bowling alley with disco lights and booze! 'Nuff said.
In conclusion: the Black Lips own you. The sooner you realize this, the sooner your life will get 100% better.
web address: http://suicidegirls.com/news/all/22336/The-Black-Lips-Own-You/