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Any reader of this blog knows how big of a JAY REATARD fan I am. This was my sixth time seeing him play in the last several years and four of those shows have been at Johnny Brenda’s. On his first visit to Philadelphia since the August release of his fantastic and unfairly maligned new Lp Watch Me Fall, this was also my first time hearing him play material from the album. It didn’t dominate, though, as the set still opened with “Blood Visions”, the title track of his incredible 2006 solo debut, and also featured plenty of songs from Blood Visions as well as the numerous singles he’s released since 2006 as well. It’s hard to really give highlights since his sets are fast, furious and straight to the point. As usual, this was a 35 minute, wham bam thank you mam dropkick that left you wanting more and gasping at the onslaught of speed, precision and melody on stage. Still, it was nice to see him with a brand new backing band (comprised of members of COLA FREAKS) and it was also nice to hear “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me,” “Before I Was Caught” and a few others from Watch Me Fall live.
As much as I enjoyed Jay Reatard’s set on this evening, SCREAMING FEMALES were so good that they may have stolen the show. A power trio from my old stomping grounds of New Brunswick, NJ led by sole screaming female MARISSA PATERNOSTER on vocals and guitar (the band’s rhythm section is male), I was definitely thrown for a loop by the SLEATER-KINNEY comparisons. Really, the only link between them and the much-missed Olympia/Portland stalwarts (in addition to RADIOHEAD, possibly my favorite band from the mid ’90s up until the mid ’00s) is the fact that Paternoster, as the band’s name implies, does occasionally wail like Sleater-Kinney’s CORIN TUCKER. This isn’t always the case, though, and her astonishing guitar playing makes Screaming Females have more in common with male-led trios like BUILT TO SPILL, DINOSAUR JR or even WIPERS! It’s rare to encounter such excellent lead guitar playing in the indie and punk genres, but essentially Paternoster wouldn’t sound out of place as a lead guitarist in a metal band if that’s what she wanted to do. I also couldn’t help being reminded of another talented female shredder, MARNIE STERN, as well.
This was my second time seeing WOMEN (again, a quartet comprised of all men, natch) and once again, they delivered the goods. Philly’s D.O.A., they play fast, tight, blazing hardcore punk of the early ’80s variety.
