Saturday's gig was the second time I'd seen "The Mabobs" and as far as I can recall, they played every bit as good as the first time.
It was about a month ago at a "rocking for Reachout" benefit gig, the proceeds of which went straight to a youth suicide prevention fund. I really should have written something about that gig, but I seem to have trouble remembering the names of the bands, the order they played and much more that had just slipped my mind. Not due to any real drunkenness; I'm naturally a forgetful person.
The Mabobs had surprised me that night, as they didn't fit in with the other bands; the only thing they had in common with the other bands was their presence at the venue and their possession of instruments.
Sonically, they shined bright and loud. It's a difficult thing to describe them as they play a variety of styles. Comparing them to more widely known artists may ease this, yet I'm not sure they want the stigma of being known as "that band who sounds a little like Bungle..". Saturday's performance was the same, even though we'd turned up midway through the second band, I'm sure the first wasn't much better.
The Mabobs were headlining, and who wants to wait around for 3 hours in a smokey venue that acts as a drunken backdrop to a crazy impromptu high school reunion? I hadn't had enough to drink to deal with people correctly. Reflux reminded me of the kebab I'd just eaten, and in turn reminded me that the singer for Mabobs was still out of the premises killing time until their turn on stage.
When it was their turn, right from the getgo they stunned and amazed the friends of the other bands. "Hey...these guys are actually pretty good....too good for this venue" is an actual quote that I'm sure the originator never thought I'd publish in a crazy review. But he was right. They did play well. And loud. 13 songs of varying genre and tempo rendered with skill. I'm definitely going to see these buggers again. Until that time, I can play the demo CD I purchased for $3 and sigh.
Reviewed on Monday, 2 December 2002