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For
once, a show actually started on time and, unfortunately, I missed
Tiny Power. They are a local band from Oakland, and I was looking
forward to seeing them after checking out their Internet rock. After
some incredibly loud music from the PA (why do they have to do
that?), 14 Mission started their set. Their music matched their
equally uninspired name and I soon found myself out back chatting
over beers. It wasn't so much that they were a bad band, just
bland mid-tempo indie rock that didn't do it for me. The crowd
received them well enough and during a trip to the bar I caught
their last song, which sounded interesting, but the band was a
mismatch for Serena Maneesh. My friend said, "They're one
of those bands you play a show with and say, 'You guys were really
tight.'" After
tuning an inordinate amount of gorgeous guitars and sorting out
their scarf situation, Serena Maneesh took the stage to an awaiting
crowd. I don't know their songs well enough to pick them out by
name, but their opening number was exactly what I had come to
hear: beautifully layered songs and hypnotizing dual vocals from
band leader (and shawl aficionado) Emil Nikolaisen and the keyboard
player. The song ended with a total fucking shawl freak-out with
Emil and the other guitar player mangling their instruments into
the ground. After
a quick guitar switch -- the first of many -- the Norwegian band
launched into "Drain Cosmetics," the first song on their
incredibly lush self-titled album. The bass player (and Emil's
half-sister) Hilma Nikolaisen looked like a Gelfling decked out
like a Ramone. Her bouncy energy was invigorating and helped add
to the chaos on stage. Somewhere in the song, the violin player's
gear failed him and he spent the majority of the set trying to
get back on track. Emil later explained that they have been having
gear problems almost every night. A shame, because the band is
at its best when sonically overflowing. A
guitarist friend I brought along was in major gear-lust mode for
the entire night. The sheer number of stunning guitars made him
want to book a trip directly to Oslo (obviously the location of
the secret stash). Emil
seemed very pleased, letting us know it when remarking on how
great this leg of the tour has been for them. All in all, an impressive,
storming set with lots of visual action on stage. A great live
band that more than lives up to its magnificent album. Words
by Nate
Daly www.serena-maneesh.com
4/2006 |
