September 11, 2006
Evangelicals/Serena-Maneesh @ Bowery Ballroom 9/8/06
There's a middle aged dude who works security at Bowery Ballroom; he usually sits on a stool at the stage-access door near the front of the room, and he uses the density of his torso (and of his scraggle of hair) to ensure that no party crashers make their way backstage. We should know this man's name, as we often engage in conversation (here, "conversation" includes discussions on placement of beer cups and use of camera flash). The guy sees a lot of shows but, despite his apparent love for live music and those drawn to see it, we've never seen him cut loose like he did for the Oklahoma trio Evangelicals.
By now you know we love Serena-Maneesh, so we hit Bowery on Friday night in fanboy-mode to catch up with 'em, take in their headlining set, and snap some backstage pics. We didn't expect to pay attention to the early opener, but our friendly, Bowery security man's unexpected enthusiasm was a lure. The next draw was the goofy interplay (and botanical garden!) that had taken over the stage. When our ears finally opened, we even enjoyed what we heard.
Evangelicals' brand of unhinged psych-pop lives somewhere between state-mates Flaming Lips and Broken Social Scene, with shifting tempos, soaring background vocals, and a demented, sunny disposition. You'll also hear some fleeting surf-rock basslines from the '50s, a period that seems to have shaped moments of their trebly, bright guitars, served up with a dollop of reverb for taste.
Evangelicals - "Another Day (And You're Still Knocked Out)" (MP3)
Evangelicals – "Diving" (MP3)
After the jump, a look at the headlining, Norwegian rockers in their natural, backstage habitat.
We've never felt more ordinary in our lives.
Amrit, are you ever going to learn how to properly review a show?
and how could you leave out the fact that Asobi Seksu played this show? They may be the biggest name of the three bands on the fucking bill.
Amrit, continuing to prove his worthlessness via stereogum, 365 days a year.
Saw this show in Boston last night. Evangelicals were TERRIBLE.
Posted by: greg at September 11, 2006 3:40 PMAww, that Kevin's a nice dude. Was great to see him lovin' it. I skipped Asobi -- seen 'em enough this year!
Posted by: amrit at September 11, 2006 4:29 PMYeah, Kevin's cool but I think that The Juan Maclean's free show free show for Time Out in Union Square on Saturday will beat the Evangelicals to the ground.
Posted by: Lurch at September 11, 2006 5:31 PMYeah, Kevin's cool but I think that The Juan Maclean's free show free show for Time Out in Union Square on Saturday will beat the Evangelicals to the ground.
Posted by: Lurch at September 11, 2006 5:31 PMYeah, Kevin's cool but I think that The Juan Maclean's free show free show for Time Out in Union Square on Saturday will beat the Evangelicals to the ground.
Posted by: Lurch at September 11, 2006 5:32 PMYeah, Kevin's cool but I think that The Juan Maclean's free show free show for Time Out in Union Square on Saturday will beat the Evangelicals to the ground.
Posted by: Lurch at September 11, 2006 5:33 PMWait... what do you think about the Juan Maclean's free show on saturday?
Posted by: adam at September 11, 2006 5:39 PMthey sound pretty good. pitchfork loved the record.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/36505/Evangelicals_So_Gone
I just think that Juan Maclean are cooler. Show's actually on Sunday not Saturday.
Posted by: Lurch at September 11, 2006 5:46 PMEvangelicals are playing Union Hall in Brooklyn on October 5.
Posted by: Claire at September 12, 2006 11:06 AMAlso saw Evangelicals in Boston. Thought they were great!
Posted by: mark at September 13, 2006 10:50 AMAlso saw Evangelicals in Boston. Thought they were great!
Posted by: mark at September 13, 2006 10:50 AMThank you for the kind words. We don't read the negative criticism but we have a large group of intern-volunteers and worker-drones to read it(or them)for us. From the bottom of our hearts's bottom parts's, lovingly, The Evangelicals(inc.)
Posted by: evangelicals at September 19, 2006 1:11 AM
