Lost Age isn’t just the title of The Mole People’s excellent new album, out last week on Punctum Records, it’s a holistic philosophy. The bands–Big Bill, Those Howlings, and The Mole People–that played Spiderhouse in celebration of the new LP have something in common: they aren’t catering to anyone. Each of these acts embraces the grittiness of good old fashioned live rock ‘n’ roll. Their music and their live shows all thrive on a healthy dose of brazen antics and blistering guitars.
Josh Gamma, frontman for The Mole People, serves as a prime example of this–falling to his knees onstage as he screams lyrics, or arching backward with his hands raised to heaven in some unholy hallelujah. Around him, his band kicks out driving power pop songs, held together by excellent drumming from Art Silva. Fans at Mole People shows dance and sing along more than almost any other act in town. If you want to see a show were people are engaged and enjoying themselves, look no further. Here are your die-hard music fans.
Saturday night was my first time seeing Big Bill, who I’ve tried to catch a number of times before to no avail. The group is weird and tripped out and completely amazing. I’ve heard legends of extreme onstage antics and performance art displays, none of which appeared on Saturday night, increasing my resolve to see this band more and more often. Despite a lack of props or stunts, the band still proved their value as one quirky psychedelic pop after the next had the crowd slack-jawed and enrapt. Kudos to the awesome team at The Mustachio Light Show who provided projections for the night and kept us all swathed in vibrant psychedelic light.
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