World Famous In San Francisco

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Mon Cousin Belge is back! They've dropped about 500 pounds and have a new stripped down sound. Emile returned for Matt Cote's birthday and the band 'debuted' as a three piece. That is, if you don't count a house party and a some other shows they did. Considering how full on rock band they used to be, this could easily have been a disaster. Except they did those other shows so really there was no suspense on that front. With just piano, drums, and vocals the band is lean and mean. And so are the songs!

You know, whenever I know a band is just keyboards, drums, and vocals I get worried its going to sound like ben folds five, like he somehow owns that sound. Wouldn't that be the worst? The band says they play 'deep faggotry jams' which translates into something like showtunes + gospel + rock n roll. That almost sounds as bad as ben folds five but, surprisingly, it works.

At the center is Emile, a plastic surgery addict with a voice that could beat you at arm wrestling. They ran through a bunch of songs, new and old. Everything is shorter, sparser, and awesomer. The newer numbers are artsier, less bound to rock 'n roll tradition. Like, in a Talking Heads sort of way, but that could also just be the Talking Heads cover. Of the older numbers, the song Bundle of Contradictions totally benefits from the new arrangements -- its been decked out in total sixties girl group glory. I can't think of anything better than a scruffy wig clad faggot singing girl group songs.

That said, MCB hasn't fully figured out this transition. Some of the older songs benefit from the old, fuller figured sound. Without the extra instrumentation, when mistakes are made they ring out loud and clear. But on the whole, its a successful transformation.

Also up this evening was Ill Ease and Le Flange du Mal. I don't have much to say about Ill Ease. This is a one woman band with guitar, bass, and drums glued together by a few sample pedals. She runs around like a professional plate spinner trying to keep these songs moving forward, looping two and three chord riffs, simple bass groves, and drums. Its surprisingly charming, but after a while it starts to sound a bit samey. While I bet the recordings are in a similar vein, I'd be interested to see how they fare.

Le Flange du Mal are some kind of hellish synth driven cabaret thrash core band. With trumpet. I don't think that is what their website says, but thats how I generally remember them. Most songs have moments where they freak out and instruments are played dramatically and most shows are attended by members of the bay area's hipster rock elite. Basically, what I'm saying is this is either your thing or it isn't (listen here to find out). It happens to be my thing and they were in fine form this evening, there's photos to prove it.