Printed March 2009 in The Skinny (http://theskinnymag.info)
It was a larger-than-life affair at Pub 340, bursting with Bands, Beads & Burlesque Beauties. This ain’t your classic Band A + Band B = Band C Live Show. The whole night was a fiesta from start to finish, with a fun musical backdrop provided by The Carnival Band, Hefe and The Elixxxirs. We were also treated to the sexy, seductive sideshow of Diamond Minx and Madam Mae I between sets.
After much mingling, The Carnival Band hit the stage like a tidal wave, looking like the cover of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Horns & strings took the stage, drums & percussion on the floor up front. The music sounded like Mr Bungle with a marching band. To warm up, the 24-piece took a little walk – out the door, up the street and around Victory Square. Frontman/ saxophonist Ross Barrett led the storm with his exceptionally gravelly bellows & succulent sax. By the end of the set, everybody in the place was up and dancing. This is Mardi Gras Baby!
Hefe is loud – a wicked wall of sound. I immediately ducked into the bathroom & stuffed some TP into my ears. Good idea. Halfway into the set, a few members of the Carnival band hopped up onto the stage. That part was planned. When the Carnies insisted on staying up for a 2nd song, it felt a bit off-the-cuff, but Hefe rolled with it! It was mayhem, but it worked. Front man Jeffrey Helm was the cowboy-hatted head honcho, jumping around, dancing & sweatin’ to the oldies like Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell”. Not the most Mardi Gras-themed songs, but who cares! You gotta hear “Sushi Girl” – a Hefe original. It’s delicious! “Gimme Gimme Gimme Some Squishy Fishy”!
To close up shop, The Elixxxers rocked the party till the wee hours. Front-gal Bobbi-Jo Moore has a drop-dead gorgeous voice. It’s hard to describe, but she has that little “curl” in her voice like Gwen Stefani back when she was still cool. The band is a smokin’ hot blend of Ska, Rockabilly, Reggae & plenty of Punk. Bassist Chris King rocked his Hofner Beatle Bass copy with precision, and climbed up on the PA speakers for a bird’s eye view of the situation. He saw me skankin’ up a storm right up front. The songs are fun, sassy & I’ll say it again – that voice is just gorgeous! Looking forward to the new sound & a new album from this band. Elixxx This!***On a side note, I had the extreme pleasure of hanging out with one of Punk Rock's most enigmatic, funny, and entertaining front-men, Mr Chi Pig of SNFU. We chatted, laughed, and I managed to grab this photo op with Chi. What a legend this guy is. I was pretty excited to hang out with one of my punk heroes for a night.
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