Death on Two Wheels, Tendaberry, Deep Cotton, Janelle Monae @ Lennys Bar - 02-16-08
Monday, February 18, 2008
Death on Two Wheels
Tendaberry
Deep Cotton
Janelle Monae
This show started off with indie rockers Death on Two Wheels. These guys brought some rock and roll with them complete with boots, blues hats, sleeveless shirts, screams, and funky beats. At first they seemed like every average indie rock band out there, but after continuing through their set it was apparent that they are a hard working rock band. They were tight, the energy was big, and the music just flowed from them almost as if they didn't even have to try to make it click.
The second act was a punk rock outfit out of Atlanta going by the name of Tendaberry. The guitarist/vocalist was by far the most present of the group. He went from singing smooth vocals as an opener, to screaming in real punk rock fashion, to jumping off stage, to playing guitar behind his head. He was the life of the show while his rhythm section held down the beats. I was hoping the bass player would get a little more into it, but regardless he didn't miss a beat. The drums were great, this guy is very talented and kept my interest throughout the set.
The guitarist for Tendaberry also doubles as a rhythm guitar for Deep Cotton, a crazy rock and (insert anything else you can think of here) band from Atlanta. Their set was short and started off some low sultry vocals from the bass player before he started using the bass. There was guitar throwing, mic throwing, clothing throwing, etc. This band was more hype than anything else, they brought a whole new energy to the stage to prepare the crowd for what was to come...
...and by that I mean Janelle Monae, a very talented artist now hailing from Atlanta as well. I had only heard a few of her songs via myspace and 88.5 prior to the show, and that in no way prepared me for what was to come. First starters I would like to note the lack of bass player during her set, this made me sad. There was a guitarist and drummer, also performed with Deep Cotton, and what looked like a manager holding a strobe light in the back. The drummer also worked a sampler that had the tracks loaded into it, the band would then play over it. There were some backup vocals being played as well, but Janelle over came those with her extremely present and powerful vocals. She busted out old school dance moves and even threw down some stuff the world has never seen before, weaving us in and out of song after song. She did a few covers, including Fugees "Killing me Softly", which she nailed and I am sure Mrs. Hill would approve, and finished out her encore by climbing through the tiniest window in the DJ booth. Her performance was very exciting and a treat for all of those that packed out Lennys Bar Saturday night.
Bret Phillips
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by Conqueror @ 4:07 PM,
