| The Mules at Port Mahon with Male and Shooting at Unarmed Men, 9/3/2006.
There’s this saying that sheer joy and determination will get you anywhere. Well, not really, but during The Mules' final song the drum pedal breaks down, and after a playful intermission with some elevator music, they repeat and do the song again. This is characteristic of the Mules and their music. They mix all sorts from waltz, jenka, traditional, western and folk into something their determination turns into their very own version of rock. It’s weird, funny, and excellent, and the singer/drummer’s delivery is a showcase of energetic bliss.
The two girls who make up Male (Annette from Big Joan and Risha from Mooz), in one of those 'drummer and guitarist' acts, are actually something completely different to one of those acts. My God, when they open their mouths and start using their fantastic, deep voices, you feel blessed. It’s as if the voices fill out the lack of a bass guitar, and create that variety that two piece lineups generally miss. The girls bring on a guest (SAUM's Jon Chapple on bass) and let go. The bass just keeps motoring around, dwarfing any doubts that these girls know how to rock.
Much has been said about Shooting At Unarmed Men. Some believe it is wrong; others take pleasure in it. This band has nothing to do with these philosophical questions or the Anglican Church. At their best, these guys play angst punk rock to the max. It’s like your body can’t keep still and your feet are bouncing in front of your soul. How can you not love 'Hey Spencer... it’s another bad day'? However, maybe it’s because it’s a school night and they have homework, it feels like they have even more to give. I’d love to watch them during an evening when they’re firing on all cylinders throughout the set. Unfortunately there might be love problems in store for the band. I guess the rest of us just have to take it, suck it up and get on with it. This is life, and after all God said f**k her, and despite what Chapple told us tonight, it’s seems like he wants to.
By Nik Bergvall.
|
