Brixton Smashed Up
Or rather, the gig June 29 at Brixton (UK) was a smashing success. Check out what was written:
A FISTFUL OF DANDY’S
DANDY WARHOLS: 29/06/01.LONDON BRIXTON ACADEMYBrixton is hardly the “Wild West”, more the troubled South, and the only true grit you see is outside the underground! No fear for the Dandy Warhols though, these rough riders are on their way to making their individual mixture of rock & pop, with an indisputable country twang, the most exciting thing this crowd has seen for a long while. It’s an impressive performance based on the sheer confidence and togetherness of the band nowadays. Their experimental leanings have paid off. It’s not all classic power-fuelled pop like “Not If You Were Last Junkie on Earth” and “Everyday Should be a Holiday”, although these remain great crowd pleasers. In addition there’s warmly welcomed, back to basics melodies such as “Minnesoter”, “Country Leaver” and “Green” with their earthy “round the campfire” feel!
Frontman Courtney has fun teasing the crowd about all brits obvious “Notting Hill” lifestyles (Ironic) and his present disdain for the ever frog-like Lou Reed (Moronic). Sporting a scaringly “hitleresque” new hair do, if Courtney was more laid back he’d fall over…As a companion points out, he “oozes cool…”. The number of Courtney wannabe’s undoubtedly back up this theory.
Keyboard whiz, Zia, is on form and taking full advantage of the bulk Stetson deal the band have obviously acquired? Guitar toting Pete is inspirational as ever, a true musician, a god, an angel (…I’m calm and relaxed…calm!). If you add his Clash inspired arm circling maneuvers you’ll never fail to impress! Drummer Brent’s halo of hair emits a stunning green aura but luckily this doesn’t distract him from the terrific task at hand. And lets not forget some outstanding “trumpet action”, from the impressively Stetsoned backing musicians…
The band quite rightly have no affection for the usual encore scenario and as Courtney informs us they will finish, only once, with no jesting involved. This is achieved with a damn near perfect “Godless” and the band are gone, off for a touch of Rock’n’Roll style chatter. Like the Magnificient Seven (how apt…) they are gone in a flash. Now silent and still, the tumbleweeds roll again….Until next time.
–Sarah Mattock
