The Clean performs Beatnik at Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ 9/29/10 from BlearyEyedBrooklyn.com on Vimeo.
Dump performs at Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ 9/27/10 from BlearyEyedBrooklyn.com on Vimeo.
New Zealand post-punk godfathers the Clean, plus Dump (comprised of Amy Posner and Yo La Tengo's James McNew) live at WFMU's show this past week at Maxwells in Hoboken. Italy's great Vermillion Sands also were on the bill, and will be appearing on Joe Belock's Three Chord Monte this Thursday (Oct. 7th) between 12-3pm. The Clean have thankfully become more visible live these last few years after what can be called a somewhat sporadic presence (which makes sense considering two thirds are in NZ and drummer Hamish resides in NYC), and the last two local shows in particular have seen them greeted by a super-stoked new batch of peops in the crowd, no doubt prompted on by so many bands of today heralding 'em as a major influence. 'Bout time! Truly one of the best live bands especially when in full volume flight (see "Getting Older", "Point That Thing" as major room levitators). Despite a setlist that went from 1981 to present, the common thread of the Clean's sound remains immediately on the money; if anything this year they've proved themselves to be as relevant (and often moreso) than certain acts they get drafted to open for; so seeing them headline gave a real point of stretching-out and digging out some gems. Dump unfortunately do not play enough, so this rare appearance was much welcome. McNew and Posner evoked the minimal pop of Young Marble Giants, the skewered soul of Mayo Thompson, dark avenues of downtempo distorto alien spaceways of the Xpressway label. McNew's inventiveness on guitar has certainly taken in so much more than last time we saw him in the late 90's; delay loops with Sandy Bull-like ragas feeding into complete shred-fests ala Japanese blowout kings like High Rise and Rallizes Denudes at times.
The Clean FINALLY came to Chicago, too! Completely amazing. I wonder when Chicago will learn that you're supposed to DANCE!
Posted by: D. Bunny | October 07, 2010 at 02:02 AM
chicago will never learn...........
Posted by: mark from satan island | October 09, 2010 at 07:02 PM