The Echo got an incredible line up of the Ponys, along with opener, Deerhunter. Unfortunately, Jena Malone’s (yes, that Jena Malone, overindulged teen actress) band [Of Wild Animals] opened up. It was hard to watch an actress sing in a band because it just looked like she was acting, and not performing; but I guess performing in a way is acting. Oh, this is just too confusing for me. Anyway, her band looked like it was made up of session musicians indicating that she probably told her publicist and/or manager that she wanted to start a band and voila one was formed and all she had to do was show up.
After Jena and her entourage left, Deerhunter took the stage. Lead singer, Bradford Cox, is a bit startling at first glance. He suffers from Marfan syndrome, which effects the body’s connective tissues making people affected by the disease typically very tall and skinny, almost skeletal looking. Even though it is unfortunate Cox is afflicted with this disease, his appearance adds to the band’s performance. He is so strange and dramatic on-stage, it is difficult not to focus solely on him for the entire set.
Cox started the set with an odd song in which he repeatedly tried, through the songs lyrics, to summon the spirit of Darby Crash (of Germs fame) as what appeared to be an homage to one of L.A.’s most infamous die-young rock stars. Cox continued the set, dressed in his trademark moo-moo looking dress and black women’s wig, singing and performing Deerhunter’s brand of experimental, fuzz, space-out, feedback rock. The highlight of the set was “Cryptograms,” also the title of their most recent album.
The Ponys took the stage next. The Ponys, which are often compared to Sonic Youth, are quite amazing live. Lead singer, Jered Gummere, even looks a bit like Thurston Moore, just because he is tall and lanky. And the Ponys even have a female bassist, Melissa Elias that happens to also be Gummere’s girlfriend. Could they be the next Sonic Youth? They’re definitely talented enough to overthrow Sonic Youth’s indie rock throne.
Even if the Ponys are reminiscent of Sonic Youth, they have enough of their own unique take on 60s garage rock to not sound like copycats or wannabes. They have straight ahead catchy melodies that stick with you even after the songs stop. “Double Vision,” the first track off their newest record, has a great guitar riff running through it that makes you want to close your eyes and shake your head from side to side. “Turn The Lights Out” is equally catchy organ heavy tune, with breathy vocals. “Exile on My Street” sounds the most like Sonic Youth. I could swear the guitar part is straight out of an SY song.
The Ponys crowd was especially rowdy. Maybe it was too much too drink, or maybe it was just one of those nights, but I all of sudden felt like I was at a punk show. Two guys started moshing in the middle of the audience and were slamming into everyone. No one was particularly pleased with these two ruffians. Security was called and everything calmed down a bit. I managed to see the rest of the show without worrying about getting plowed into.
