I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: May 1, 2019] The Murlocs

I was aware of The Murlocs as being the spin-off band from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith.  I’d listened to them a few times but hadn’t really listened intently.

Then I saw that they were playing at Underground Arts (in the Black Box, one of my favorite venues no less).  I thought it would be a great opportunity to see 2/7 of KGATLW (Craig Cook plays in both bands) before seeing KGATLW again later this year (probably from much further away).

I had also seen just the day before the show that two other members of KGATLW (Stu Mackenzie and Eric Moore) were on the East Coast (a picture of them hanging out with Trey Anastasio(!) has surfaced), so I thought there was chance that they might come down and join Ambrose on stage (they didn’t).  Although I learned that Stu and Eric joined the band for the encore cover of Hot Chocolate’s “Every 1’s a Winner” the night before in NYC (always at the wrong show).

I assumed that this show wouldn’t be all that well attended.  The King Gizzard shows are always popular, but I figured it was a side project by the “second singer” so how crowded would it be? 

I got there plenty early and grabbed a spot up front, but by the time the band went on the place was pretty crowded.  And the fans there were really really into it.  A guy behind me sang/screamed a long to most songs.  And no one wanted to budge an inch.  I don’t think there was any slam dancing (it’s not really the right venue for it), but there was a lot of dancing.

When the band came out to set up their gear, Ambrose had on a T-shirt for a festival, but when he came out to play he was wearing the jacket above.  This jacket was fascinating and I couldn’t stop trying to figure out if every song on the album(s) was represented or if it was just a bunch of fun patches.

The Murlocs have been a band since at least 2012 (that’s when the first EP came out).  KGATLW have been round since 2010, so long term side project…or maybe KGATLW is the side project.  Either way, The Murlocs were fantastic.

They played most of the songs from their new release Manic Candid Episode and spread the rest throughout their previous records.

Kenny-Smith started the night playing guitar.  He was joined by Cal Shortal on lead guitar and Cook Craig on bass on his left.  On his right was Tim Karmouche on keys and behind him was Matt Blach on drums.  Kenny-Smith is sort of the second in command in KGATLW, but he handled duties as a front man perfectly.  He engaged with the audience and was always fun to watch.  About 2/3 of the way through. Ambrose took of his jacket to reveal a cowboy-style shirt that said Uncle Murl on the back.

Their music is kinda sloppy garage rock and yet the band was super tight and never missed a beat.   They opened with “Noble Soldier” and followed it with “Compensation,” two older songs.  Then they moved to the new album with three songs in a row.

The songs are fast and frenetic with Kenny-Smith’s high voice a picture of intensity and activity.  The whole set was a rocking fun time.

A few songs in, Ambrose put down the guitar and picked up the mouth harp (or harmonica or whatever he calls it).  He has a small box full of them (I assume in different keys).  And from there forward, nearly every song had a fantastic fuzzed out harmonica solo.

I also really enjoyed Cal’s guitar work, which was simple but right on.

The guy behind me kept calling out for a song and when they finally played it (I wish I could remember what it was) he screamed, this is my favorite song!

They played one song from their 2012 EP and eight from their new one.

The rest were distributed among  the older songs and those are the ones that the crowd went bonkers for.  I really enjoyed “Loopholes” in which everyone sang along with the “ahhhs” and “Problematic Subject” which featured Ambrose’s scarier vocals.

Ambrose picked up a guitar now and again, but mnostly he sang and played harmonica.   And it was great.

They ended the set with the wonderful one-two punch of “Wolf Creep” and the awesome “Rolling On.”

Far from this being a small show that nobody showed up for, this proved to be a rocking and riotous time full of fnas who know they are seeing something terrific.

SETLIST

1. Noble Soldier Ø
2. Compensation ¥
3. Bigger Picture ∉
4. Catch 22 ∉
5. Manic Candid Episode ∉
6. Young Blindness ¥
7. Gutless ∧
8. Old Locomotive Ø
9. Space Cadet £
10. What If? ∉
11. Withstand ∉
12. Comfort Zone ∉
13. Loopholes £
14. Snake in the Grass Ø
15. Problematic Subject ∉
16. Wondrous Star Ø
17. Spun Gun ∉
18. Wolf Creep ¥
19. Rolling On ¥

∉ = Manic Candid Episode (2019)
Ø = Old Locomotive (2017)
¥ = Young Blindness (2016)
£ = Loopholes (2014)
∧ = Tee Pee EP (2012)