DC ROCK CLUB
Long live rock, I need it every night

Thursday, September 11, 2008

I Don't Know How To Love Him

Silver Jews w/Monotonix
Black Cat
September 10, 2008


Just a quick note on last night--Potsy and I went to the Silver Jews/Monotonix show at the Black Cat. The Silver Jews are much-beloved by their fans, which is generally a good sign, although both Hitler and Jimmy Buffett are also much-beloved by their fans, so that can go either way. I was handicapped from truly enjoying the Silver Jews due to my ignorance of their catalog, but they play a kind of ambling, country/western-type music. I would love to see them play at a Sizzler, where I could sit in a booth and get free refills and visit the salad bar at my leisure.

I only caught the last ten minutes of the Tel Aviv-based Monotonix, but man, did they make an impression. First, they were set up in the middle of the crowd. Not just the Eddie Argos-running-into-the-crowd-to-sing set-up, but literally, drums, bass, everyone in the center of the crowd. Second, these guys are very hairy. My first thought, which I took the time to scribble on a matchbook so I wouldn't forget it, was that the lead singer looked like he could have been an extra in Jesus Christ Superstar. Shirtless, sweaty and hairy. He was wearing shorts so small, and pulled so low, that they could more properly be called a "tube bottom." He managed to get the whole crowd to sit down on the dirt-assed floor for the last song. I bought a shirt. Here's some really grainy cellphone video:



Here's a clip of Yvonne Elliman singing "I Don't Know How to Love Him," from the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar:

5 comments:

Jumbo Slice said...

I'm ignorant to the Silver Jews catalog as well. Maybe I'll buy an album or two before they're show here in Austin.

How weird was the Monotonix/Silver Jews pairing? They seems totally different. I can't wait to see Monotonix next month at Mohawk.

I'm looking forward to reading Malitz's take on the show, seeing that he's a super fan and all.

Unknown said...

On a scale 1-10, that was about a 2 in terms of Monotonix insanity. They weren't allowed to use fire, beer spraying, garbage, rafter climbing. I'm pretty sure next month's show at DC9 will make this seem like kindergarten orientation by comparison. They tour with the Jews a lot ... I can only imagine what those Silver Jews/Monotonix shows in Germany were like.

That was a very good Silver Jews show, but like I've said, you're not going to be converted by the live show if you aren't a fan going in. Did you hear him dedicate a song to me?!?!?! (flutter)

Jumbo Slice said...

That's awesome. Did you talk w/ Berman last night or did he just remember you from the interview?

Potsy said...

Pitchfork posted photos from the show: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/node/145450

Jimbromski said...

ah man, I missed a Jews for Jesus joke here