World Famous In San Francisco

I guess its appropriate that Carletta Sue Kay was on the bill at Club Chuckles, a comedy night hosted by the Hemlock, last week. Just look at that big dumpy dress she wears, that's got to be a joke. Right? Or, maybe, its because this Appalachian folkstress' (I made up a word!) cabaret stylings and songs about relationships gone bad fit right in this evening. I mean, there's always laughs to be had about relationships gone bad.

Supposedly, Carletta draws her inspiration from the time she spent serving time in Iowa for trying to blow up her boyfriend's house and possession of terrorist materials, but that just sounds like a cover story. Carletta made an appearance on the scene, suddenly, after her cousin Emile vanished. Perhaps this is just another in his long line of plastic surgeries? Either way, Carletta has tons of material to fuel her songs, and you know she's speaking from the heart when she sings "Love ain't love until someone calls the cops".

Whatever the deal is, Carletta was in fine form at the hemlock. First of all, they did a pretty cool Jesus and Mary Chain cover (but I guess that's just in the air, what with their two shows this weekend) which made me smile. But, also, stripped down to a three piece, the instrumentation didn't overwhelm the songs (which I felt it did other times I'd seen this band) and the focus fell squarely on the vocals, which is where it ought to be.







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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.

A message from the band-

The debut, yeah we did a few shows with the current line-up of Emile - vocals, Tom - Keyboards and Mat Cote on drums but they were just us doing the songs minus the fatties who quit the band via e-mail, basically fulfilling gigs that had already been scheduled. We've had a few weeks to put some new stuff together, new arrangements on old stuff and some new surprises. This is the debut of the lean and mean Mon Cousin Belge. The word is that we're up first so get there by 9:30.

Emile's flight from Brussels arrives at 9:00 hopefully he won't get stuck in customs. Oh yeah, it's Mat Cote's birthday. We're going to spank him.

Happy Friday, Emile from Mon Cousin Belge make you presents!