"He was wearing his pants down low, and you could see his pubic hair. He had a cigarette in his mouth the whole time, which he never ashed, so the ashes got all over his chest. He was disgusting. It was the best thing ever."
And so, Ben easily convinced me to make time on Sunday night, to go see Bobby Conn at the Talking Head.
Ben and I were both unimpressed by the first two bands. The Frequency were very high energy, with lights and everything, but I just didn't care for their sound at all. It was watchable, but not too spectacular.
I was simply not impressed by Slot Racer at all. He was a witty one, and a decent singer, but uninteresting, for my taste.
Bobby Conn's band came out onto the stage in track suits, tuning guitars and keyboards and an electric violin with obvious perfectionism.
The drummer looked like a fruitier version of
Hank Von Helvete (who apparently
got married this weekend) Even if they had set up their instruments and walked off stage then, the whole spectacle would have been worth watching.
There are SIX members in his band, and every one of them was singularly watchable. Both Bobby and the second guitarrist were skilled and coordinated. At one point, the guitarrist (with cheesy long hair and pointy red boots) played a solo for a few minutes that was pretty mind blowing. The mainly impressive thing about it was that these talented musicians could all be in a band that isn't too serious seeming.
The show was really loud, keyboards, electtric violin, harmonizing vocals, glam guitar, 70s funk beats, and general melodrama.
Ridiculously elaborate. I was enthralled.
Ben and I are both pretty much in love with Monica, the violinist. Although the band members were all individually interesting, her smile, musicianship, and poise was so magnetic that I couldn't look away. I was seriously very attracted to this girl, and I don't really like girls.
She was like a quirky art student girl, who had met her prince in the homely but inspirational Bobby Conn. There is something really special about musical relationships. So, I wouldn't want Ben or myself to seduce her away with our awesomeness, only to ruin the dynamic.
I had a corny grin on the whole time I watched the band.
I bought the CD, but am afraid to listen to it. Some performances are best in the flesh.
A lot of times, my favorite shows aren't even by my favorite musicians... one of the best shows I can remember before Bobby Conn is Peaches, of all things. Peaches simply put on a great performance, musical abilities aside.
Last night had the stage talent AND musicianship.
I spent the rest of the evening sitting with Ben at a table by Monica. We watched creepy fans engage her in conversation. I think we might have been even creepier, sitting there obviously staring.
www.bobbyconn.com
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