I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: February 25, 2017] Mannequin Pussy

I ordered a Japandroids ticket as soon as they went on sale.  The first two nights sold out quickly and then they added a third as I refreshed my email.  So I was able to score a Thursday night ticket,

I had no idea who the opening acts would be.  Later, they announced that these four Philly bands were the openers:

Thin Lips
Hounds
Mannequin Pussy
Queen of Jeans

Of the four, I had only heard of Queen of Jeans.  I have since heard Thin Lips on All Songs Considered.  But I was pretty excited to hear Mannequin Pussy, a band whose name I still don’t understand.

I expected a brash, abrasive band, and that’s certainly what they sounded like when they started.

The four piece took the stage and we were hit with a barrage of sound.  Lead singer/guitarist Marisa Dabice roars (voice) and squeals (guitar) like nobody’s business.  And her lyrics were straightforward and spot on:

“What did you say to me boy?  Go on and say it to my face.  Who the fuck you talking to, boy?”  With some really harsh guitar notes accompanying.

Bear stood up front on bass, a tall, imposing figure, who took over the stage.  Kaleen Reading pounded the hell out of the drums.

I expected 40 minutes of pummeling.  But they dialed their ferocity back on a number of songs–playing nice melodies and hearing Dabice’s singing (not screaming) voice.

Guitarist Thanasi Paul was more or less in the corner, in the dark. (that Boot and Saddle lighting).  He played complementary works along with Dabice, and then would occasionally let out a soaring guitar solo.

And then they would jump back to a powerful fast, short punk song.

I don’t know where I might have heard their incredibly catchy song “Romantic,” but as soon as they played that opening riff, I recognized it.  And it was excellent to hear it live.

This was an exhilarating set–all out rockers interspersed with really catchy melodies.  Who could ask for more?

partial set list

F.U.C.A.W.
Drunk II
Clams
Romantic