Phantasmagorical. That was the live Magic Castles show tonight at the Uptown, as their other two shows I've seen at Kitty Cat. I urge all you kitties out there to climb on board this magickal mysticore tour, and trip and dance to Magic Castles, one of the most authentic psych folk/acid rock band I've heard during this current resurgence of psychedelia.
The dreamy, jangledy songs with fantastical lyrics and groovy layers of keys, primal drumming, sweetly eerie harmonies, ghost-like echoes and vacuums of sound, tambourines perfectly accentuating those layers, melodic bass . . . weave a web of intricate layers of sound beautiful to both hear altogether, and to isolate from each other (as if hearing 2 or 3 songs beautifully intertwined) in the mind. Magic Castles, drawing from late '60s and early 70s psychedelia, had excellent timing and space jams, approaching Zappa, and also featuring haunting Joy Division moments. Definitely strong Pink Floyd (Sid B. days) V.U and Jefferson Airplane references abound in a delightfully dark way. It was a trippy fun musical experience that you couldn't help but dance to and get caught up in inextricably. They have beautiful periods of slowing down,and messing with time and breath-catching transitions. Their slight off/minor/flat keys cause delicious shivers. The harmonies are perfectly eerie, playful and dark. Songs such as entirely memorable "Emory" you'll find yourself hearing over and over in your head long after the show is over.
Definitely catch their next live shows: March 7 at Stasius, and March 11 at Lee's with
the band currently known as The Lapdance Band of Horses ( a better name than their last one; who knows what it will be next? Stay tuned for 2nd Tuesdays at the Turf beginning April for more on this great new local supergroup and the bands they host).
Friday, February 22, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Valentines, Theatrical shows, Ice, Puppets, and Bedlam's Bleeding Hearts Romp
Well its been awhile . . . but have seen some very interesting new stuff. Just a brief overview . . . last Tues. at the Uptown the first of a 2nd Tuesday series put on by a band with no name (yet). 9-piece, formerly calling themselves "The Bukkake Party" fe: lots of strings (cello, fiddle, innumerable guitars :) organized by lead Jacob Grun (parts for all makes, Ice Palace). This is an amazing large group with much potential, using big soaring vocals, heavy strings and layers of guitar and percussion that may bring to mind other large groups like Arcade Fire (in scale, and big sound) yet darker, more psychedelic remniscent of: Pink Floyd, maybe Sonic Youth, a little bit Velvet Underground. Their March show is second Tues at Lee's with a relatively new (about a year-old) absolute new favorite of mine, Magic Castles. Magic Castles authentically captures the essence of late '60s early '70s psychedelia with mind-bending minor chords and dreamy layers of sound, eerie vocals and beautifully long space jams to space out to and escape to other realms of the mind. They are not. to. be. Missed. They're turning out a phantastically magical mystical mysticore (hint) CD that I reckon will be one of the best local CDs of 08. Mark my words, and look out for it. Meantime check out their great live show.
Feb 13 Pre-Valentines La Belle Epoque Fetish Bash, hosted by Venus (All the Pretty Horses) was a real ball, of the best kind. Lots of lovely costumes, many of which were Victorian era, but more risque. Great music by theatrical punk band Dangerboard (also performing tonite at the Bedlam!), the Melismatics, Sirens of Titan and All the Pretty Horses. MC poetess Laura Brandenburg was very cat-like on the catwalk as she introduced the fetish fashion show, with beautiful XXX-travagant fashion, including ink, feathers and silk ribbons in strategic places.
All the Pretty Horses were in their element(s) as they took the 1st Ave stage with incredible big sound, intense rock and through the course of the show, a few pyrotechnics and engaging theatrical interpretations of songs such as Ice, Fallen Angels, Wild Horses . . . depicting love, love lost, rejection, angst and passion in its various facets — with fantastic deep red lighting and spotlights on the dancers and the room, and Venus' vocal prowess with a balance between control and raw release, this was truly one of the most memorable ATPH shows I've seen.
Last night: Super Furry Animals, a looong-time favorite, were phenomenal at the Varsity, stripped down (no films or furry costumes this time) their show was as always futuristic and weird and wonderful.
Today, if you get this in time . . .get out on the ice! Puppet shows at 3:00 at the Black Box Theatre Shanty fe: Vermont, Texas and Wisconsin puppeteers/musicians who have been involved with Bread and Puppet from Vermont. Lots of live music and fun at Medicine Lake on this, the second to last weekend. Go to Art Shanties and you can see the schedule.
If you miss this, or even if you don't, you can catch more puppet mischief at The Bleeding Hearts Romp at Bedlam Theatre tonight at 10! A perrenial fun event featuring the ever-popular 5-minute movie (cheesy movies condensed to their best moments colliding together in high hilarity), bands! Puppets! and cabaret. . .tonites show features:
the dance antics of Mad King Thomas , bard love by bEn Krielkamp, sumptuous drag by barbara gordon, the WYXY news and a bedlam 5 minute movie ....with your host, the lovely DITZY POOFBALL.
PLUS travelling Puppet shows. Pinata. Prizes. Heart -shaped Sake jello shots. Skits and Surprises including Anti-Love meter readings and The preimer release of Ape and COffee's first zine.
STARTS AT 10PM and AFTER SHOW THEATRICAL PUNK BAND: DANGER BOARD
Must get out on the ice. Enjoy the shows.
Feb 13 Pre-Valentines La Belle Epoque Fetish Bash, hosted by Venus (All the Pretty Horses) was a real ball, of the best kind. Lots of lovely costumes, many of which were Victorian era, but more risque. Great music by theatrical punk band Dangerboard (also performing tonite at the Bedlam!), the Melismatics, Sirens of Titan and All the Pretty Horses. MC poetess Laura Brandenburg was very cat-like on the catwalk as she introduced the fetish fashion show, with beautiful XXX-travagant fashion, including ink, feathers and silk ribbons in strategic places.
All the Pretty Horses were in their element(s) as they took the 1st Ave stage with incredible big sound, intense rock and through the course of the show, a few pyrotechnics and engaging theatrical interpretations of songs such as Ice, Fallen Angels, Wild Horses . . . depicting love, love lost, rejection, angst and passion in its various facets — with fantastic deep red lighting and spotlights on the dancers and the room, and Venus' vocal prowess with a balance between control and raw release, this was truly one of the most memorable ATPH shows I've seen.
Last night: Super Furry Animals, a looong-time favorite, were phenomenal at the Varsity, stripped down (no films or furry costumes this time) their show was as always futuristic and weird and wonderful.
Today, if you get this in time . . .get out on the ice! Puppet shows at 3:00 at the Black Box Theatre Shanty fe: Vermont, Texas and Wisconsin puppeteers/musicians who have been involved with Bread and Puppet from Vermont. Lots of live music and fun at Medicine Lake on this, the second to last weekend. Go to Art Shanties and you can see the schedule.
If you miss this, or even if you don't, you can catch more puppet mischief at The Bleeding Hearts Romp at Bedlam Theatre tonight at 10! A perrenial fun event featuring the ever-popular 5-minute movie (cheesy movies condensed to their best moments colliding together in high hilarity), bands! Puppets! and cabaret. . .tonites show features:
the dance antics of Mad King Thomas , bard love by bEn Krielkamp, sumptuous drag by barbara gordon, the WYXY news and a bedlam 5 minute movie ....with your host, the lovely DITZY POOFBALL.
PLUS travelling Puppet shows. Pinata. Prizes. Heart -shaped Sake jello shots. Skits and Surprises including Anti-Love meter readings and The preimer release of Ape and COffee's first zine.
STARTS AT 10PM and AFTER SHOW THEATRICAL PUNK BAND: DANGER BOARD
Must get out on the ice. Enjoy the shows.
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