‘These Girls Fall Like Dominos’
The Big Pink show review by Mike Zimmer
I’m going to be honest and open about something. I am a middle aging man. I’ve been to a lot if shows over the years, and I have grown tired of ‘the opening act’. For one, I hate standing in one spot for that long. Another reason being I have had bad luck with openers. I can’t remember one time that I discovered a new band because I saw them open for someone I came to see. I’m sure such a band exists in my past, but for the sake of saving me from traveling down memory lane, I will just leave it at that.
That brings us to local openers Gang Signs. I came early to check them out as a favor. Gang Signs did not anger me, nor annoy me. But they did not convert me into a fan. The crowd loved them; including members of The Big Pink; during their performance the singer of Big Pink gave them very high praise. He even went on to say that they were deeply honored to play with such a band. Great musicians indeed, but I guess I am just picky with my electro shoegaze music.
The Big Pink however, I wasn’t very familiar with other than their hit album ‘A Brief History of Love’ (2009). A friend who I shared a music blog with introduced it to me. In research for this review I found some of their newer stuff quite appealing. So I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into. Their set started off with some sound issues but once their new single ‘Hightimes’ kicked in, the crowd (about 100-ish in attendance), myself included, really got into it. Unfortunately as the set carried on I found myself mentally wavering. I had heard from other reviewers that they really don’t pull off their brand of electro rock well live. It is definitely a genre that is hard to capture live. But having seen this sound done well before (The Soft Moon) it set a benchmark in my mind. I have seen a bunch of very reputable bands within the genera really eat it live. But The Big Pink didn’t eat it, they meandered. I think it might be the song writing. I say this because the hits have way more punch. All it all it was a mediocre night. However you couldn’t help but leave with a smile on your face. The set ended with their hit ‘Domino’. That song is so infectious, it leaves you in some sort of euphoria. I should mention that ‘Domino’ was sampled by Nicki Minaj in 2011. So she knows what I’m talking about.
Oh, and I stood through the whole show. Even though it was leg day.
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written by Mike Zimmer