PONYTAIL SHARE THE BODY ELECTRIC

seen live: Gentle Friendly, Future Island and Ponytail @ 100 Club, 12 February 2009

Tonight's gig at 100 Club started as duo Gentle Friendly stepped up to play a short, two song, but very powerful set. This is yet another band that instantly grabs you by the balls and doesn't let go until you have shown your appreciation for their loud muscular rock powerhouse (bless yourself if you don't have balls). As the stage was cleared Baltimore's trio Future Island stepped up to surprise the shit out of the audience (not literally as that would have been very messy, obviously). Anyone who's familiar with the Office will know what I mean when I say that the front man Sam looks like David Brent, if he would have had a successful music career that is. It is probably Sam's amazing voice that clearly distinguishes him from David Brent. Furthermore Sam dances around the stage like an OD'ing Grizzly Bear, while bursting out his lyrics to the beat of über catchy electro tunes and bassline. If that doesn't get you moving you should go see a doctor.

The memory of these two bands would, however, soon be faded as the Baltimore quartet that is Ponytail hit the crowed with their art-house punk noise sound. I know that sounds vague so here are a few pointers, think of colours, energy, screams, wasabi powered drums, trebly guitars and forget about any bass. If that still doesn't work for you just listen to their music. Last years album Ice Cream Spiritual contains all these flavours and it's this album that dominated the setlist. The pony ride started of with 7 souls, blasting authentic primal chants into the audience in a manner only vocalist Molly Sigel can get away with. As the screams of Beg Waves screeched through the monitors the pony ride gained speed and evidently turned into a crazy horse ride at the first notes of Late for School.

To spice up the Ice Cream the new track Honey Touches was played, the song is largely in line with their previous work and merely another great new flavour to their pallet. The touch of honey hit the right spot and was followed by the only 'old' song on their setlist Bermuda Traingle which struck the audience like a Kamehameha blow to the chest. Sky Drool's "oew baby oew" and Die Allman Bruder raged past before the night was ended by crowd favourite and single Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From an Angel).

"AWAYWEGONOW-AWAYWEGONOW-AWAYWEGONOW"

If you missed out on this gig you'll get a chance to redeem yourself on March 10 when Ponytail play at Lexington or on March 3 when Future Island will unleash hell at Old Blue Last.

Setlist:
7 Souls
Beg Waves
Late for school
Honey Touches
Bermuda Triangle
Sky Drool
Die Allman Bruder
Celebrate

PONYTAIL
FUTURE ISLANDS
GENTLE FRIENDLY