The Shakes - Spaceland - Friday Nov. 8th, 1996
Good Melody Lines. Drums in tight with the bass - vocals precise and in the flow. Driving two attack guitars, lead vocalist handled the leads while the #2 man keep the crunch ringing. The backup vocals add depth and nice foundation Interaction with guitars adds nice flavor.The Drummer is very much the engine of the band, propelling everything with power and finese. The rough edges of the band adds character; with the two guitars the mainstay of the groups cohesion. The monitor feedback only added to the set's allure, despite the band complaining. Remember boys and girls - turn it up loud!!!
The Penis Flytrap flyers in the latrine between sets in the bathroom were stratigically placed, at least if you're like me on your 3rd or 4th pitcher, you can hit it, bulls eye!!
Lutefisk - Sapceland - Friday Nov. 8th, 1996
Lutefisk means Dried Fish in Sweden, but this band is from California. The set was sponsored by Diet Coke - does this mean the band is low on calories? NADA!! Very cool Marshall - Fender feedback colorations. The vocals could've use some verb or doubling, maybe a triple in places - band probably goes over best later in the set for audience intoxication reasons - still grooves to the max. Very creative arrangements - the vocals sound best in scream than sing. Good use of noise and feedback throughout. Every band at the clun this night was complaining about monitor feedback...probably something hooked up wrong, I've done it many times!!
About 3 or 4 songs into the set the bands shifts into driving mode which might make the 'ol boys in A&R perk up a bit, even if the chorus in a couple of tunes was like screetching cats. The riffs were dominating. By this time a couple of swedish exchange students had my eye, I wondered if that had anything to do with the dried fish thing, but I remember the drummer really getting off about this time - chaos thing followed, much like lounge. Time to break out the gar. band really could use a soundman to work on the socal textures. The band ripped on a Bikini Kill tune, showcased the new record "Burn in Hell Fuckers" throughout the show. Last of the set totally ruled, like a male pit running rabid after his balls have been flamed!
The Muffs - Spaceland - Friday Nov. 8th, 1996
Bass player for the Muffs must have whiplash..the band tore through a great set full of screaming and riffing. Sliding rave-ups and flying spittle. I have no idea what any of their songs are called, but somewhere during each number the lead vocalist/guitarist is gonna screech like a banshee with her tail on fire. As long as The Muffs keep it cranked they don't have anything to worry about. Once again, as in all the bands tonight, the drummer kept the madness under control. If the club lets me back in I might become a regular.
To have your gig reviewed in the Underground Sound...email me with the date and place..MADDOG.....Sorry, but I have to be on the guest list before I'll actually show up, and your chances are better in getting a good review if I'm also on the bar tab...Or you can ring me at: 213-871-8054 ext. 558 and leave the info....Check the Underground Agents List for local reps in your area who might like to come to the show and do a review. I cover the Los Angeles area, otherwise known as the lower side of hell!!!