eveningsout
September 1, 2006
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 9
A triple dose of homocore, balls-to-the-wall queer punk
by Anthony Glassman-
Cleveland-In the 1970s, a new force emerged in the music world, growing and taking shape even as disco was on the rise. Disco's rhythmic syncopations callingat some level-for harmony and love were a striking contrast to the anger and discontentment of punk rock. Punk rock was to the late 1970s what folk music was to the late 1960s: a form of rebellion, of social protest.
As punk faded from the public eye, but before it was superseded by the synthesized sounds of new wave, there was what could be called post-punk, filled with bizarre bands like the Mekons, early Sisters of Mercy and others.
While no longer part of the mainstream, the punk and post-punk aesthetic is still alive, thanks in no small part to bands like Erase Errata and Mika Miko, both of whom will be coming to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights on September 10, with Kill Rock Stars label-mates The Gossip for a triple-dose of homocore, balls-to-the-wall queer punk.
Both bands' 2006 releases, Mika Miko's C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. and Erase Errata's Nightlife illustrate eloquently why, a quarter century after the punk/post-punk era's heyday, that punk spectrum is still such a powerful draw, is still so evocative.
Mika Miko's album is a baker's dozen of catchy, fast-paced ditties hitting the eardrums like a runaway train.
Holding with the punk rock fast-in, fastout style, C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. evokes a distaff Misfits, although one might argue that a Glenn Danzig-led Misfits were far gayer than anything this quintet could put out (come on, there's got to be something behind that love of B movies).
Liberace" and "I Don't Like Your Widow's Peak" illustrate the humor, creativity and fun of punk rock in a way that cannot be matched.
Nightlife, on the other hand, is more post-
Erase
MIKO
Errata
punk, a slice of 1982 musical life. Twelve tracks of sublime perfection created in a
Songs like "Take it Serious," "Tighty unique way.
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Erase Errata doesn't so much write songs
as experience them-they get into the studio and just start playing.
That birth, however, belies the skill and craft heard in the songs. These women know what they're doing, and they do it very, very well.
Both bands are musical equivalents of the urban pioneers, the LGBT people who move into depressed neighborhoods and begin the first wave of gentrification. In this case, they have taken decrepit musical genres whose names have been bastardized into
Dutch up or button downe Ning Sireer or Queen Street Afternoon or afterhours? Comfortable or kinky? Colorie counting or diefdestroying? Getting hitched or booking up? High ort or high camp? Tapos or tiramisu? Guest list or wine list? Spotlight or candlelight? He or shes Campy or classy? Modern art or modern dance? Rousing or relaxing? Hot or mild? Committing or culting loose? Gnocchi or nachos? In or out? Boxers or briefs? High fashion or low price? Ballgame or ballroom? In the parade or in the crowd? Staying out or slaying in? Chopin or show lunes? Give or take? Glammedup or dressed down? Talk or listen? Rock or jazz? Lipstick or leather? Uptown or downtown? Love or lust? Tasteful or tasteless? Day at the spa or day in the sun? Steakhouse or sushi bar? New hat or new heels? See or be seen? Rock or jazz? High art or high wire? In the
The Gossip
things like "emotional punk” and then shortened into “emo," and they paint the walls, replace the broken slates on the roof, rebuild the porch and restore the beveled-glass windows. They have taken something that's been left to rot, and they have brought it back to glorious life.
The Gossip, Mika Miko and Erase Errata will play at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, on Sunday, September 10 at 9 pm. Cover is $10. For more information, go to www.grogshop.gs or call 216-321-5588.
Toronto. Unlimited possibilities.
parade or in the crowd? Starspotting or stargazing? Dress up or dress down? Sweet or sours Button-up or button-down? King Street or Queen Street? Strip clubs or strip malls? Sashimi or souvlaki? Tied up or fed down? East end or west end? Marriage or mayhem?, Highend or lowbrow? He or she? Waterpark or waterfront? Commitment or carousal? Prude or tattooed? Martini or margarita? Calm or chaotic? Raw or cooked? Day or night? Cut or uncut? Restful or rip-roaring? Rough or refined? Playing nice or playing. dirty? Together or whatever? Mall or market? Sunlight or moonlight? Fab or flannel? Chopin or show tunes?
Altamoon or after-hours? Comfortabla or kinh 2 Coloria
Your Toronto experience is whatever you want it to be. Visit www.torontotourism.com/pride
to start exploring.
DToronto
unlimited
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O/TM 2006 Toronto Convention & Visitors Association