Live Review: Thomas Frances Takes His Chances & The I-Gods @ Maxwell's 2-12-10 + Photos

After the earlier Melissa Ferrick and Mal Blum show I hung around to see Thomas Frances Takes His Chances and The Invincible Gods. I didn't know quite what to expect, except that this was going to be different than the previous show. Yes it was. I was impressed-from the stage presence of I-Gods to the multi-instrumental TFTHC to the audience dancing, I was floored by the end of the night.

The Invincible Gods from East Brunswick, New Jersey got the crowd moving with their rock n roll sound. It was just guitar and drums, and a singer but the guitarist sang, too. They were a lot of fun. Singer Candace had great, sweet vocals that actually complemented the louder rock n roll sound. This shit was honest, too. They had songs about religion, drugs, and gods, of course. This is a band that should not be missed. We caught them in  basement in New Brunswick in 2008. My, have they gotten better. Fuckin' check this band out.

After was Thomas Frances Takes His Chances. Not quite sure how to describe them, but experimental rock or experimental folk might be appropriate. It was cool because members switched off on instruments. and they were lively. The band was fronted by a lady vocalist who also played keys. There was trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, drum, xylophone, toy piano, keyboards, and accordion. They were pretty bad ass. If you like The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Gogol Bordello, Beat Circus, or pretty much orchestral punk or experiemental music, then check out this North Jersey 7-piece. Photos below.

Thomas Frances Takes His Chances (cd release show) @ Maxwell's on Friday

 

This Friday night Thomas Frances Takes His Chances takes the stage at Maxwell's for their cd release show for Don't Give Up On Me Dad. The cd's will be available in limited quantities for 5 bux. The Invincible Gods will open the show. For 8 bux you can see the two Jersey acts rock the fuck out. So plan your night already.

Feb. 12, 2010

 Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ

1039 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

@ 10pm (Late show) after the Melissa Ferrick and Mal Blum show

Screaming Females/ The Pussy Pirates/The Invicible Gods/ Slaw @ NJ Basement Show

For a few years now, I’ve heard about the legendary basement shows in Meat Town USA, the city that breeds punk bands like Thursday, Lifetime, The Ergs, and the infectious, guitar drenching, chaotic explosion called Screaming Females. The 3-piece performed with Ann Harbor, Michigan’s, The Pussy Pirates, Slaw, and Invincible Gods, my first house show on September 16.

I would be in for a treat. As the night went on the room would fill with eager fans ready to dance. At 7 p.m. the show began with a fast, catchy punk set by The Invincible Gods, led by singer Candace. There was complementing vocals provided by the guitarist. She sung and screamed in such a way that made me smile. They started off the night right.

Slaw played straight fast punk. The 20 minute set with by quickly, but got the crowd moving. It’s tough to move around in a basement given the small space, all the items off to the side, and the low ceiling. Nonetheless there was a small pit and a few people dancing all around. 

The Pussy Pirates with their mo-hawks and alto and tenor saxophones, drummer in a jock strap, and vocals from everyone provided a delicious punk-fusion. There set was nice, it was fun to watch, dance, and listen to. The five players were all female, except the drummer. There was also so Spanish singing and a rendition of “La Bamba.” Never before I had heard a sound like the one The Pussy Pirates created, so bravo to them. It was an enjoyable set. 

The anticipation built for Screaming Females. Before long the band started playing. With all the handle and rawness in her, Marissa played the guitar with ripping chords. The songs are so rockin’ and everyone in the band rocks as hard as they can. It’s always incredible watching SF, even though it was only my second time, I’ve seen video to prove their awesomeness. Tonight they would not play “Boyfriend,” my favorite song. It got pretty hot in that basement and everyone looked to be sweaty, bodies collided, people were singing, and dancing all around. It was indeed a "fun" show. 

This is where the do it yourself punk ethic came from. This is the social-political bands came out of. This is the kinda thing helps that keeps me interested in music. Yay, for the basement show. 

Screaming Females will play the following area dates before they head off to tour until Mid November.

September 25: Record Release and Tour Kick Off @ Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ with Hunchback and Full of Fancy. The band will be releasing two new split 7 inches featuring both bands. 

September 26: The Fort in Brooklyn, NY with Stupid Party

September 27: Silent Barn in Brooklyn, NY with Neptune, These Are Powers, and Marnie Stern

Also, check out the Pussy Pirates for more tour dates.