THE SADIE HAWKS, PINK EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, BLIND MAN DEAF BOY, MARRISA. AND MICAH, LOGAN GREENE
TLMS
Sunday, Dec. 15
It seems like I can’t leave my house these days without bumping into an acoustic guitar-slinging troubadour. But for the most part, I’m happy to report that the days of James Taylor and Cat Stevens are more or less over.
Witness Logan Greene, standing on a chair in the entrance to TLMS, singing his heart out and bashing his guitar. Some of the songs he performed are usually played with his electric band, but great as his rhythm section is, they weren’t missed. Greene has a fantastic voice and his lyrics are like scythes. While I never thought I’d favorably compare any act to emo also-rans Saves the Day, Greene one-ups them at their own game, which puts him more in line with legendary power poppers like Elvis Costello.
Solo artist Marrisa. (punctuation included) then teamed up with Micah Butler from the band Chatterbox and the Latter Day Satanists for a set of songs, the first half by her, the second by him. Though both interesting, Micah’s were the stronger of the two, hardcore punk in style, but arranged for acoustic guitar and washboard. The abrasive percussiveness of both instruments provided a fitting foundation for the pair’s X-like vocal interplay and memorable, rousing songs.
A similar concept was executed by Denver, Colorado’s Blind Man Deaf Boy, and while they certainly nailed the acoustic hardcore, you have to wonder if it was an idea worth nailing in the first place. Without songs to support the sound, the screeching fiddle, nonstop barking and punk-polka drumming got old fast.
That misstep would’ve been an advantage to local newcomers Pink Eye for the Straight Guy, but these two ladies were just fine on their own. Even without the ultra-brief song-vignettes, terrific call-and-response vocals, and “Be My Baby”-worthy drum beats, Pink Eye for the Straight Guy could have gotten over on their excitement and catchy choruses alone.
The Sadie Hawks closed out the show with their always-fun, danceable ‘60s-flavored pop. The quartet’s three-way intertwining vocal harmonies was their most, but far from only, outstanding attribute. With their hooky, two-minute would-be hits, The Sadie Hawks make a great case for the minority of us that found the Rutles to be a much better party than the Beatles.
Joshua Levinemailbag@tucsonweekly.com
This article appears in Dec 19-25, 2013.
You honestly need to get your head checked. Blind Man Deaf Boy are a group of amazing musicians, and great kids doing the things they love.
this is really disheartening. I really loved Tucson and have had some really awesome times there. But talking shit on a touring band (a great one nonetheless) is pretty low. I appreciate the kind words said about me, but I admire these guys, and I assure you if I had written this review there would have been some big differences. It just make me sad to see an extremely talented, kind, and dedicated band drive for hours to play a show just to get bashed in the local newspaper.
It’s okay, Micah. People aren’t always on the same wavelength, and it’s clear to me that the perceived notion of being above others who aren’t locals is very prevalent in this article. We appreciate the chance to play anywhere; it’s fun, it’s slightly nerve-fraying, and it’s experience! But it’s people’s choices to like us or to not. I’m not going to get upset about this review, it felt like it came from a pretty close minded place that clearly catered to the local acts. All I can say is from our experience with the friendly folks out in Tucson, I’m sure we can opt out of damning their pretentious and close-knit community with our presence. And besides, the venue was closing anyways, if the DIY scene remains this uppity and unfriendly to touring acts, they can keep all their local bands so they don’t have to support musicians from all walks of life.
I don’t see anyone from Tucson commenting on this thread so apparently not many even read this trash.
Mr. Butler and Mr. Nicholls, had I known that being “dedicated,” “kind,” “doing the things they love,” and driving for hours are attributes that entitle an artist to a positive review, I wouldn’t have come to see the show and critique the actual music. But if that’s the case, then every band is incredible and above criticism. And if everything is amazing, then everyone is lying: Is this what you would have preferred?
Mr. James, while you are understandably unfamiliar with my live reviews in this newspaper in regards to my “favoring” local bands (which is false), I admire and agree with your decision to not let this review affect you and your music; your dedication to your music would be questionable if you did.
Right or wrong, criticism should be taken as a tool to improve yourself. I wasn’t at the show, but I have been in this game for long enough to know that if you are putting in the time, if you truly care for your craft and gravitate towards the DIY scene, something like this should galvanize you. It should be like carbon as you temper and fold your blade in the fire. The idea that a positive review is in some way owed because you showed up is absurd. Not everyone gets to win. Not everyone is equal, especially in music. This goes with the territory and saying you would avoid Tucson because of ONE bad review would cause me to question the motive for doing music in the first place.
I shudder to think what a punk revival from the “Everyone Wins” generation will be. If this is any indication, maybe these kids would be better served trading their instruments for an XBox One. “Folk Violence From Denver” Rage Against The Starbucks? Fury Against the Hybrid? Criticism comes with the territory… Especially in music…if you want a trophy after the event, why not take up swimming or karate?
People like you give modest and decent people bad names. Your unwarranted perceived importance of your selves and your opinions not only mean very little to those you “criticize”, but also exemplify the exact reason why you all will never make impressions other than being shitty human beings on others. I would take the time to understand your opinions (Lionel, Corey, and Josh) if judgement had not been passed by all of you. But given that you have, I will only treat you as you have treated us. You deserve as much respect as you give others.
Rican, if all of this means so “very little” to you, why have you posted on here twice and uploaded that fuckin’ profile photo? You are doing yourself (which is one word) no favors by commenting here.
Well, Rican James, if you weren’t, clearly, a self-righteous, smug little drunk, you may have actually learned something from what I said (had you even taken the time to read it at all?). So, you of distastefully untuned and poorly played violin, you of band with such terrible craft and attitude that you posted a “This is what we think of Tucson!” middle-finger on your own bands-page HOURS after your show and long before this review came out, you my friend can smoke a pole. A big, fat pooooooole and should you have the nerve to come back to Tucson, I will personally book a rad show, give you a tour of exactly how fun, accepting and awesome our scene is to the EXACT type of people you think we shun and after, should you still think I or we are still so bad and judgmental, we can go and play knifesies or a have duel (or whatever your crew would deem acceptible) to the soundtrack of whatever Colorado Kool-Aid has warped your mind so, that you smell and judge your farts as flowers. Bottle-rocket, cat-crashing through garbage cans, end scene.
PS: just to be clear, I saw your YouTube videos of your “band” and wasn’t at your show and kinda ran in to this comment thread by chance.
Josh tends to be kinder in his reviews than I would be (for local and touring bands alike). Furthermore, he is a walking encyclopedia of music. I was not at this show, but… if he gives your band a bad review – you suck period
I’m just glad Mario is distracted by playing fiddle in Blind Man Deaf Boy and not trying to mess up my life anymore.
Hey playing to a bunch of pretentious 20 something’s in skinny pants with their arms crossed was a lot of fun for us too guys!
Glad everyone had fun, thanks for giving us a chance! Josh thanks for coming and listening, and writing! Cory you did not come so kindly fuck off.
Josh I hope you see us again some day, maybe in a more welcoming environment, and we have the chance to change your mind. If your band ever makes it to Denver I look forward to hearing it.
Ok. So, is that a “No!” to having a much better show and a chance to change your minds about Tucson and a yes to the duel? Also, reading all your reactions and watching your skill set on YouTube kindly allows me to Fuck On!.
Here is the dealiddy-do; are you not aware that the DIY scene/modern-punk you have an affinity for is run on the lifeblood of 20-somethings, most in skinny jeans? Also, did you not have a good reaction from the crowd AND get a place to crash? I may be wrong on the last two points (hearsay), but, after seeing you and Rican’s reaction to anything, I really wouldn’t be surprised if no one ever peed on you if you were on fire, let alone let you sleep on their floor.
Any who, your collective replies are as sloppy as the playing on your vids and your reaction to this whole thing is just so what I rally against in my life an in my pursuit of music. Bottom line, as bad a musicians you are, you are better than being cocks to a dude that is just doing his job by reviewing you. Take care and I am easy to find if you wanna next level this convo.
Cool
As music editor of this here publication, it’s probably my duty to step forward and moderate or something.
Dudes from Blind Man Deaf Boy: Have you never been reviewed before? Or have all the writers in Denver just kissed your asses? It is not uncommon for a reviewer, someone who is extremely well versed in music, to take exception to a band’s music. It’s what we call music criticism, and it is what you will regularly be subjected to, should you choose to play music.
No one had it out for you in Tucson. You were reviewed fairly by a knowledgeable guy, but ultimately it’s just one guy’s opinion.
So, Blind Man Deaf Boy, why not come back to Tucson, play a show, and let the people decide. We’re a fair bunch. This is not a threat. It’s a guarantee that if you come back, we’ll make sure some people are there to see you and make up our own minds. Let’s make friends, assholes.
I just moved from Denver, where no one knows of this band, so I can vouch for their proclaimed modesty. Thanks for all the great work you do, Weekly staff.
The weird thing isn’t that you gave BMDB a bad review, it’s that you gave the other bands good reviews. The other bands that played that night were just awful. It was really strange that people were so into them. The author of this article wasn’t honest, he should have said that BMDB were unoriginal and the local bands all sounded like a group of kindergarteners were getting their stomachs pulled out of their mouths.