The first time I saw THE ORIGINAL SINNERS (as they were then known), they were a new band formed by X’s EXENE CERVENKA and her husband, guitarist JASON EDGE. Filled out by the former rhythm section of THE DISTILLERS, they released a satisfying debut album in 2002. However, the show I saw them do on that tour was less than satisfying. It was at the Knitting Factory in New York and Exene didn’t seem all that comfortable in front of the relatively small audience that had gathered to see them. As small as the Knitting Factory’s main space is, it still felt a bit too big for them. Furthermore, the band played all the songs WAY too fast and the sole highlight of the night was the one X song they did play (“Because I Do”), which they saved
for an encore. Little did I know that this version of the band would be breaking up soon, which helps to explain the lackluster show I saw.
Fast forward four years, however, and it was an altogether different story on this evening. Backed up by new recruits DAN SABELLA on second guitar, CHRIS POWERS on bass and KEVIN O’CONNER on drums, Cervenka (who still exudes a powerful sexuality even after she turned 50 earlier this year) and Edge (looking a lot like a young JEFFREY LEE PIERCE with his tattered blue denim jacket and dyed blonde locks) put on a show that was not only much better than the previous time I saw them, it was also one of my favorite shows of the entire year!
First, I must emphasize that the Tritone is absolutely the most perfect venue for the kind of trashy, rockabilly-influenced punk rock that this band plays. The drink special is a shot of Jim Beam with a can of PBR to chase it down, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Exene’s third appearance here (the first and second were with THE KNITTERS and X last year) in a little under a year and a half. Although they were so incredibly loud that it was hard to tell songs apart, it was still a blast.
First and foremost, they played (count ‘em) not just one, not just two, but five (!) X songs. “Because I Do” was reprised along with “Year One” (from 1981’s incredible Wild Gift) and “Motel Room in My Bed” (from 1982’s Under the Big Black Sun) was performed as an encore. However, the highlight amongst the X songs was a performance of “Some Other Time” (also from Wild Gift), a song that X rarely plays live and one that I’ve never seen them do. It also happens to be my favorite X song and perhaps one of my favorite songs by anyone ever. My jaw nearly hit the floor when they started to play it as I looked increduously at my girlfriend in amazement. Furthermore, the audience was great as well. They were hooting, hollering, singing along and even DANCING to all the songs (especially the X songs). You could tell that the audience was just eating it up. It was no mere pose and without pretension, but rather pure, unadulterated joy!
Despite the emphasis on the X songs, though, this was no mere exercise in nostalgia. A healthy selection of songs from the two Orginal Sinners albums were played (though not the incredible “Born Yesterday”, inexplicably) as well as one song from AUNTIE CHRIST, a one-off Exene side project from the late ‘90s. Another highlight was their cover of the GUN CLUB classic “Ghost on the Highway.” Exene stated that it was played to honor Jeffrey Lee Pierce and to keep his songs alive. As a massive Gun Club fan as well, I was touched by this proclamation and I couldn’t agree with her more.
Openers KNUCKEL DRAGER (purposely misspelled) were a nice surprise as well. Very different from the headliners, they play long, instrumental pieces that are surf-influenced but heavy as lead. Think of DON CABALLERO tackling the DICK DALE songbook or maybe a much heavier MAN OR ASTROMAN! and you’ll be close. They all wore funny masks and wigs as well.
The most memorable thing about the first band, LIVE NOT ON EVIL, is that their name is a palindrome. They weren’t bad, but like I said, just unmemorable, though pleasant-sounding garage rock.
All in all, this was one of my favorite shows of the year. I just wish more touring bands would play the Tritone and that it wasn’t handled by Ticketmaster! Luckily, though the show was rather full, we were able to get tickets at the door, thus avoiding the exorbitant service fees and what not.
