Boys to Men

Salt Lake City Upcoming Concerts: Pet Shop Boys, GWAR, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

By Brian Staker, 11-02-06

	Staker Pick of the Week: Joanna Newsom

Sparta, As Tall As Lions, Sound Team

The word ‘hiatus’ seems as painful and motion-stopping to musical endeavors as to hernia sufferers. After At the Drive-In announced their hiatus five years ago, members of the El Paso, TX band continued making music, under the band name Sparta. Not surprisingly, their three releases, including this year’s Threes, marking their switch from Dreamworks to Hollywood Records. The new release is their best, as they have somehow found reinvigoration to add to their emo genre. Long Islanders As Tall As Lions is one of the more interesting Indie bands to emerge in recent years, due to their Built To Spill influence in instrumental texture and experimentation with song structures, as well as some of the new wave musical gestures of a band like the Killers without sounding as mannered. They avoid the sophomore slump on this year’s eponymous Triple Crown release.

November 2, Club Sound

Jello Biafra spoken word

How to describe Jello Biafra: ‘gadfly,’ ‘irritant,’ or to use one of his own album titles, The High Priest of Harmful Matter. Regardless, punk rock wouldn’t have kept the edge of political criticism in the face of commercialization without Biafra’s influence. First known as the nasal-voiced front man of San Francisco punk legends the Dead Kennedys, the fallout of the 1986 obscenity trial over images of anal sex on a poster included in the band’s release Frankenchrist both dissolved the band and redirected him on a more political course than he had even pursued before on DK ditties like “California Uber Alles,” which lampooned then California governor Jerry Brown.

He embarked on a body of solo work that is one of the most remarkable careers in punk rock, both for his prolificness and scope. In addition to musical collaborations with people like NoMeansNo, roots rocker Mojo Nixon and industrial icon Al Jourgenson of Ministry, his spoken word releases, in CD and book form, have taken on the mantle of free speech and political criticism to a rarely-seen apex. He doesn’t mince words about subjects like the war in Iraq, but doesn’t spare the political left either. In addition to being smart, it’s all very funny. Last year’s collaboration with the Melvins, Sieg Howdy, included a cover of Alice Cooper’s “Halo of Flies.” That just gives you an idea of this great iconoclast’s mindfulness of musical history, in addition to his defense of our country’s heritage of democracy. His label Alternative Tentacles has released political critiques from other voices too, in addition to music. Earlier in the afternoon, you can meet Biafra at Big E’s record store in Bountiful, or on the Denver date at Wax Trax.

November 2, University of Utah Union

Also appearing:

November 4: Denver, CO (Gothic Theater)

Pet Shop Boys

It’s hard to imagine in the dance club culture of the early 80’s that the Pet Shop Boys’ poppy, electronic music didn’t immediately take off like a roman candle. But their first single, 1984’s “West End Girls,” was only a minor chart presence in America, going almost completely without notice in England, as was it’s follow-up, “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money).” But their true entrance into the brave new music scene of the period was “West End Girls,” which was huge internationally, and carried the rest of their early oeuvre to the commercial stratosphere.

Their chart success didn’t extend past the end of the decade, and they became an emblem of a type of music from the period that didn’t age as well as it might. In many ways the music of the period, like its fashion styles, really was revolutionary, yet the influences that carried through are subtler than the mavens of the age probably expected. The 80’s was really the first time homosexuality was openly discussed in music, and the Pet Shop Boys were pioneers, although not as frank as later musicians, they opened the door. They also had an immense influence on dance club culture. In 2001 Closer to Heaven, a collaboration of the band with playwright Jonathan Harvey on the subject of gay life, enjoyed a run on London’s West End theater district. New work includes a soundtrack to accompany the film Battleship Potemkin, and last year’s Fundamental, a set of songs produced by Trevor Horn.

November 3, E Center

Exene Cervenka & the Original Sinners

Along with then-husband John Doe, Exene Cervenka helped establish one of the most unique sounds from the LA punk scene of the late 70’s, with their dual vocals. For a long time relatively overlooked because instead of a hardcore guitar attack with lots of sheer volume, the group’s sound relied on the more subtle stylings of surf-influenced guitarist Billy Zoom. In retrospect, the band can be seen as a classic roots-punk combo with its own unmistakable sound.

After a run of outstanding albums through the 80’s, the group had run its course by the end of the decade, as had their marriage. Since then Cervenka has pursued solo work, and a mid-nineties X reunion just wasn’t the same as before. The band’s country spinoff work in the Knitters was worthwhile, and after two decades reappeared for last year’s release Modern Sounds. Her commentary to Gulf War photos by Kenneth Jarecke in the book Just Another War is harrowing, a valuable addition to literature on the conflict. Her new group, the Original Sinners, was set to perform here earlier this year, but was postponed, and shows her with as much creative energy as ever.

November 3, Urban Lounge

Also appearing:

November 2: Denver, CO (Hi-Dive)
November 4: Boise, ID (Neurolux)

GWAR

As with most cartoon bands, GWAR (God What An Awful Racket) is as much about visuals as the music. But they have an entire mythology around their characters. They consist of interplanetary warriors descended from aliens, who have come to earth to sexually enslave and/or slaughter the entire human race. In the meantime, they have been raping our eardrums with releases like Carnival of Chaos and This Toilet Earth, and our eyeballs with videos and DVDs. The live show is a little like going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, though not as interactive; prepare to get sprayed with fake blood. Nudge your way up to the front!

Front man Oderus Urungus has some similarly twisted solo releases under his earth name Dave Brockie Experience. His logo is based the Dead Kennedys old rune-like symbol, and the music takes a page from their satire, if not the political awareness. Note: the show has been moved from the Avalon Church. Instead of the sanctified realm of God’s real estate, the waters of the Great Salt Lake will be defiled. Never has red food coloring seen a more distasteful usage.

November 4, Saltair

Also appearing:

November 3: Denver, CO (Ogden Theatre)
November 5: Boise, ID (Big Easy)

Joanna Newsom **Staker’s Pick of the Week!**

In the Indie rock genre, which is no stranger to eccentrics, Joanna Newsom stands out as more oddball than most. The combination of her waiflike voice and harp playing makes her solo work a little delicacy, both soothing and slightly unsettling. 2004’s The Milk-Eyed Mender (Drag City) is a folksy gem for those who are entranced by Nick Drake, and this year’s follow-up, Ys, follows in the same vein.

It’s Celtic music for those tired of fiddle noodling, looking for a quiet aural needlepoint pastoral. The Chicago label has carved out a niche as a great home for eclectic music. But Newsom is also so much more than her solo work, collaborating with Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier in noise rock trio Nervous Cop and transforming into new wave diva in the Pleased.

November 4, The Depot

Also appearing:

November 5: Denver, CO (Bluebird Theater)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo was brought to mainstream attention by Paul Simon on his Graceland album, but they have been around since the mid-70s, melding their sweet South African harmonies to unfold tales of life, both pre- and post-Apartheid. Their prolific recording resume culminates in this year’s Long Walk to Freedom (Headsup). Unlike the combo’s (or impersonators thereof), ‘appearance’ on Comedy Central’s autism fundraiser last month, the show will not feature Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. But look at their itinerary! James Brown might not be the hardest working man in show business anymore.

November 4, The Depot

Also appearing:

November 2: Hamilton, MT (Performing Arts Center)
November 3: Bozeman, MT (Emerson Cultural Center)
November 4: Billings, MT (Alberta Bair Theater)
November 6: Boise, ID (Egyptian Theatre)
November 8: Grand Junction, CO (Avalon Theatre)
November 9: Aspen, CO (Wheeler Opera House)
November 10: Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)
November 12: Albuquerque, NM (National Hispanic Cultural Center)
November 13: Santa Fe, NM (St. Francis Auditorium)

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