I just saw MEN perform this weekend. They opened for CSS and well I remember standing in the audience and thinking, that it must be wonderful to play music, tour the world and meet new fans everyday.

I remember thinking that it must be a luxury to travel the world and be in a different city everyday.
I remember wishing that I could perhaps, do that one day.

I never gave much thought into what it actually might be like for those artists and musicians I admire so strongly.

JD Samson wrote this article, and well it made me think of all these things I had never considered.
It made me think that more people need to support live music, and the artists who make that music. Because... well it does matter.

CSS + MEN

CSS (Cansei De Ser Sexy)
Guest: MEN
Venue Nightclub
October 1st, 2011
Time: 7:30pm MEN, 8:45pm CSS
Curfew at 10pm!

I was missing my concert / dance buddy tonight--- he couldn't make it! (I tried to dance for both of us.)

This was the FIRST show of CSS' + MEN's North American Tour. (!!!)
I arrived at Venue at around 7:45 and MEN (comprised of JD Samson, Michael O'Neil and a drummer) had already started and was performing 'Credit Card Babies," glad I didn't miss it!
I saw them perform a while back at The Biltmore, I loved their songs then, and I still love them now. This time they performed with a live drummer and their sound exploded from the stage. They had four life-sized cardboard paintings of their friends, (Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Johanna Fatemen, Tammy Hart...... and another). Interesting props. They traditionally and happily ended their half-hour (ish) set with 'Who Am I To Feel So Free,' (my favourite track) -- it was exciting to watch them, because I love their sound and I love their expression. I just wished more concert-goers there could have loved them too.



CSS came out on stage at around 8:45 and I was shaking with excitment -- I'd been waiting to see them live for so long time, and finally they were there in front of me. They started their set with "I Love You," this opening track from their 2011 release La Liberación is infectious, catchy and dance-inducing. Adriano Cintra wasn't performing with them, and I want to know why! He is one of the personalities aside from Lovefoxxx that I absolutely need to see live, CSS isn't complete without him! (I miss his vocals) --- I kid. I just really admire his mustache. Have you seen it? It's impressive.
The stage, instruments and amps had red paper hearts taped on them. After all this was "The Fall In Love Tour," so it seemed to fit the theme.
I was immediately smitten by the band and developed a huge crush on Lovefoxxx and Ana Rezende (their guitar player), she has swag.
Lovefoxxx's energy and dancing was adorable and contagious, loved it! She squirms, and reaches out to the audience, strips off her cloths dramatically to reveal jean shorts and fishnet stockings. I had a smile on my face throughout the entire show and was pleasantly surprised to see that there at the show, a handful of true CSS fans came out. It always makes the live show even better when the energy the band is giving is received and given back. [Shuffle those feet, move that body, and 'feel' the music] you know... like you should at a CSS show.
They played a select few songs from their newest release and most of my favourites off of their other records. ('Alala, Art Bitch, Fuck Everything, Hit's Me Like A Rock, La Liberación, Music is my Hot Hot Sex,' were amongst the songs performed).
(During "Red Alert" Lovefoxxx donned a fox mask and a cape and announced that "Snoop Dog" was featured in the 'rap'.... funny --- Lovefoxxx never fails to put a goofy smile on my face.)

SO glad CSS played 'City Grrrl' live, it's one of my favourites off of their newest album.

Love this song.

Memorable moments: Lovefoxx crowd surfing + Dance madness.
At the merch table after the show I high-fived Lovefoxxx, thanked her for coming and told her she was amazing. (I couldn't help but be a dork.... it's Lovefoxxx!) And there I told Michael (MEN) that it was the second time I'd seen them and that their live drummer kicked ass. Also that I missed Tammy Hart, bassist/guitarist, only to be told that Tammy couldn't make it because she was getting married to her girlfriend back in New York (?). Congrats to her!!

Photos from the show here. CSS + MEN

Sounds That Make You Want To Dance

I just came home from seeing MEN at The Biltmore.
I can easily say that they sound just as great if not even more so amazing live.
"Baby Dykes" have better style in 2011.
The venue was full of 'baby dykes' who danced in and out of time in appreciation and celebration of/for MEN.
Its a late night --- I'll add more details about the show when I can think straight --- which is rare.

Raw eggs for breakfast - throwing scarves of appreciation in place of hot pants - helmeted human tripods -
enough shenanigans for one night.

Eargasms

Men - Who Am I To Feel So Free (Antony Hegarty Version)


It's been a while since I've felt inclined to post.
Hearing this remix makes me feel like dancing.
I've always loved Antony's voice and this is near perfect.

Oh, here is Men's video for "Who Am I To Feel So Free" sans Antonys' vocals


I giggle when I watch this. Explosive isn't it?
This is also my favourite track off of Body Talk, Mens LP.

Be Like MEN?

I am a biological female. Girl, Lady, Chick, what have you.
I find myself drawn to music that in one way or another involves musicians who are female as well. I don't do this consciously, but when I look into my CD collection, or my iTunes, I find an abundant of artists, musicians, singer/songwriters who happen to be well... female.
This is not to say I don't appreciate music made by men. So when I discovered this band called MEN some time around their emergence into the music scene last year, with JD Samson of Le Tigre I thought to myself, what a perfect balance of male and female. Just have someone who well embodies both genders. I love it.
MEN MYSPACE
Introducing: Ginger Brooks Takahashi, JD Samson, and Michael O'Neill
Together they are a Brooklyn-based band whose dance music embodies the aspects of performance art, radical politics, sexual fluidity as well as bringing to their show an essence of live music mixed with a real art show.

Their music is also brilliant. Go take a listen. And listen again, and again, and again.
Then go buy a ticket to their show in your city.
They are coming to Vancouver's The Media Club on September 9th.... and I am not of age, being just one month away from the legal age is upsetting me, inside. It's frustrating to know that I can't go. BUT don't think that I won't be dancing in my room to tracks by MEN that night and maybe every night until then, because I will.
Feet shuffling, arms waving, body rolling ensues.

Men - Be Like This

I dare you to listen and try not to dance. Go Ahead.