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Midwife Crisis
Brilliant Stereo Mob
Uzi & Ari
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Velour
Provo, UT
2/18/2006
By: Caz* Bevan
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The Velour is Provo, Utah's very own Moulin Rouge. I don't
mean that it is the center of Provo's 'Red Light District'
because let's face it, this is Utah, but it is our very own
bohemian-styled venue brought to us by local scene
ringmaster and venue owner, Corey Fox. Barely a month
old, this venue always has a crowd. If the bands are
unknown, the show is still guaranteed to be a display of
talent and entertainment.
This weekend, I attended yet another indie-flavored dance
party at the Velour featuring Uzi & Ari, Brilliant Stereo Mob
and Midwife Crisis. The show was a rare treat as both
Brilliant Stereo Mob and Midwife Crisis have been M.I.A. for
the last year.
First up, Uzi & Ari - an eclectic indie band with that generic
indie look. I found them musically intriguing. Although they
acted like beginners, watching their fingers play every note
and barely moving at first - the blend of strings and keys
were passionate and well performed.
Although I've heard nothing but good things regarding the
Brilliant Stereo Mob over the years, their performance on
Saturday did not impress me at all. Although everything was
harmonically fused and every band member did their part
equally and willingly, perhaps it was that everyone had a
straight look to their face that made it all come across as
bland to me? It was good, but nothing special.
It was like life on anti-depressants - if I could feel, I think
this would be good, but I feel nothing at all. There was a
vague indifference about their set. I think they're good. I
think it makes me happy, but I'm not quite sure. It's just
over now, and easily forgotten. It seemed to be appropriate
half-time music as I anticipated Midwife Crisis and browsed
the audience looking for familiar faces.
Perhaps the anticipation was too great. Midwife Crisis were
rumored to be better and more exciting than they were in
the past - hard for me to imagine. I couldn't tell if they truly
loved what they were doing or, if the sole purpose of their
band was to mock the moment-to-moment musical trends -
this moment: dance, dance.
Regardless where their attitude lies, I still enjoyed the set. I
stood rather than sat. I danced. I smiled and applauded
loudly. They brought the light show, the projector and the
large white sheets in which they hid behind during the first
song. If you've ever seen them, you know this is
expected.
When I asked Corey what he thought Midwife's greatest
influences were, he said, "I would definitely say they were
influenced by 70's glam rock such as Bowie and T-Rex
meets late-70's Punk/New Wave. I know Gang Of Four was a
huge influence and was the cover they did in their encore. I
think they are also influenced by current bands - The Faint,
Refused, The Arcade Fire." All in all, our opinion was Midwife
Crisis sounds like David Bowie meets the Sex
Pistols.
Rumor has it that the band released this CD only due to fan
demand and have no intention of continuing their
performance. They had to find a stand-in drummer and
attempt to recall all the lyrics just for this one performance,
a year after the last time they played. I truly hope not, if this
was their swan song, they went out with a show to be
remembered.
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