bob (05/11/82)
Snakefinger, a Ralph Records artist and frequent collaborator with the
Residents, appeared at the Mudd Club in NYC on Wednesday, May 5. This
was certainly one of the most enjoyable performances I have ever seen,
and is certainly the best I've seen in the last 2 years. Mudd is a
small place, with reasonable acoustics and sound system, and room to
dance.
The turnout was light (I'd say no more than 50 people), probably due to
the relative obscurity of Snakefinger and the fact that the show was at
1am on a Wednesday, all but eliminating the 9-5ers. I was disappointed
by the crowd. I hoped to see lots of Ralph fans, but it seemed that
only about 10-15 people knew the music; the rest probably just randomly
wandered in off of the street (what they were doing on White Street at
that hour escapes me). While polite, most people seemed put off by both
the Ralph films played before the show, and by the live stuff. Snakefinger
seemed to be sensitive to this; during the show he all but apologized
for it. He commented that he realized that his music is hard to listen
to (I vehemently disagree), but was meant to be that way. So much for
NY audiences.
Mr. Finger was backed by "The Illusion Smashers", the folks who played
on his most recent record, "Manual of Errors" ("...which you won't find
in your local record stores"). Electronic instruments were played by
Eric Drew Feldman, formerly of Captain Beefheart; the other band members
were not familiar to me. The question is, are they the Residents???
Their set featured superb versions of "Man in the Dark Sedan" (my personal
favorite), "Bring Back Reality", and "You Sliced up my Wife" (both from
Manual of Errors), "Jesus Was a Leprechaun", a cover of Kraftwerk's
"The Model" (which he recorded on "Chewing Hides the Sound", a cover of
Tuxedomoon's "The Jinx", and a new song called "I Love You Too Much To
Respect You". Despite the fact that Snakefinger plays guitar, there were
NO self-indulgent, ego-tripping guitar (or drum) solos. To hell with the
guitar heroism that the regressive rock and heavy metal types adore;
this is the way music should be played.
Judging from his comments during the show, and his (genuine) surprise at
being recalled for more, I don't think that he has been very well received
at his other gigs. I missed his other gig in NYC last week, which was at
Danceteria on Sunday night, May 9, so I can't say how it went.
Also appearing with Snakefinger was "Wrinkle Music", a solo guitar and
synths performer. He had some good tunes and some boring stuff, and not
very danceable.
The Ralph films played before the show were great fun, featuring Yello,
Tuxedomoon, several Residents films, Renaldo and the Loaf, and Snakefinger.
Unfortunately, no MX-80 Sound. The Renaldo and the Loaf film was the best
of the bunch, in my opinion. What? You've never heard of R&L? Their
debut album is called "Songs for Swinging Larvae" and is not to be missed.
The Residents have been doing a tour of sorts on the west coast. Has
anyone heard anything about it? I've been told that they appeared on stage
sans costumes, which I find very hard to believe.
Send comments, flames, spare change, to Bob Harper
cornell!bob