The great Danes of Junior Senior made their triumphant return to New York the past few days, this time armed with new material from their sophomore effort, Hey Hey My My Yo Yo. The album has been out for two years abroad and will finally make its appearance on shelves today.
The duo was on target the whole night, bringing the joy and sheer giddiness of pop music to the masses at Highline. It was damn near impossible not to shake your coconuts, move your feet and feel united.
The setlist:
- Go Junior, Go Senior
- Chicks and Dicks
- Dynamite
- Good Girl, Bad Boy
- Rhythm Bandits
- Happy Rap
- Itch You Can't Scratch
- We're the Hand Claps
- Can I Get Get Get
- Move Your Feet
- Shake Me Baby
- Shake Your Coconuts
- Hip Hop a Lulu
- Encore: Trust Tissue
- White Trash
I hadn't seen Junior Senior in about three or four years -- and it was only Junior (Senior got sick). It was at Maxwell's when they opened up for the Electric Six. Seeing them now on a larger stage doesn't change how exuberant the music comes off. There's never a chance to slow the party down, even between songs. At a brisk 60 minutes, you get the Monday night workout you were hoping to get. It's one of those leave your inhibitions at the door because it going to get freaky, dancey fun on the floor.
Their debut album D-D-D-Don't Stop the Beat made a huge impression on me. Even before this blog ruined my free time, the Junior Senior debut was more tuned into my musical tastes thAn the electroclash scene happening in the city. The band draws from 60s bubble gum pop as seen through 80s colored glasses. It was like the music Wham! failed to make because they were too busy being pretty.
The new album is more akin to 70s disco funk, but still beat heavy and easily likable. Even though the material was new to me, all registered high on my groove scale.
Tonight's show went by like nothing because each song was a classic. Even guest JD Samson of Le Tigre joined the gang on stage for her contribution to the album, "Can I Get Get Get." My favorite of the live performance was that exotic looking backup singer who does vocals on "Itch You Can't Scratch". I think her name is Catherine, but she was something. If Tracy Morgan was there, he would yell, "Somebody's gonna get pregnant tonight!"
A complete love fest for Jesper and Jeppe on this end of the screen. They've instantly made a Top 5 list of Live Acts You're Not Seeing.
As for Oakland's Gravy Train!, you either love them, or hate them. I'm casting my vote on the side of hate. They have no musical abilities whatsoever. Their whole shtick is to see how over-sexed, gay and flamboyant they can legally get on stage. It's gay guys in tighty whiteys, it's flabby girls grabbing their boobs and their va-jay-jays. The music is complete rip off of Peaches without the smart lyrics, pulse or sense of humor. It's all, "Look how outragious we are! Weeeeeeee!" Oh please.
On the bright-side, Darren made it onto the stage. He's a big hairy, bear of a guy who was wearing a dress in the crowd. That came off to reveal his g-string wedged within his enormous ass. I don't know which was funnier: him on stage or looking at people's reaction to him on stage. The man is a fixture at some shows, so it was bound to happen that he would be aloud to display the goods on stage. He was perfect for the Gravy Train!
Chris, that beer bong shot is a keeper. I was a little worried that dude might stage dive.
I agree with you about Gravy Train though, in their defense, I have to imagine they don't play a lot of "rock shows" -- they seem more like a cabaret act with all those rehearsed bits. You can't say it was boring. There were also some real arseholes slamdancing during their set over near me. I really thought a fight was gonna break out.
Junior Senior were great, but I wish we'd gotten more than three songs off the new album.
Posted by: bill p | August 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I LOOK GREAT. I'M THE BEST GRAVY TRAIN CONCERT EVER
Posted by: DARREN MABEE | August 15, 2007 at 10:46 PM
You hit the nail on the head with Gravy Train. Though Darren was the only good part of their set.
Posted by: Matt | August 21, 2007 at 12:34 AM