PWR BTTM at ONCE (Cuisine en Locale). WHAAAT? Sick– wait they’re playing with Bellows and Lisa Prank? Oh my gosh, my queer angsty heart is exploding.
And for this show especially I’d like to thank the good folks at the Hassle for getting me in (and for the complimentary glitter and wigs), because it literally was the HOTTEST show in town. Sold out completely too fast, way too many people missed out so I have the fabulous duty of filling y’all in.
Their first headlining show in their home city was incredible and that was partly owed to their two opening acts. Lisa Prank started off the show in style showcasing her new album ‘Adult Teen’ filled with guitar distortions, and a mellow yet gushing punk lyricism. And then fabulous Bellows came on, mixing old school emo with intricate hardcore pop and electro melodies. Oliver Kalb put on a showcase of his young bedroom discography and spoke, maybe a bit too much, about what his music means.
His monologues gave me some time to look around at the oh so glamorous crowds of PWR BTTM… look alikes that were littered around covered in glitter and all the faux fur ( I hope) in the world to out Gotti the Gottis.
But the crowd was representative of all gender and sexuality, race and biographical variations. The inclusive community aspect is central to the band’s message, which appears in their songs, interviews and on stage as well. Both singer/songwriters Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce took time to speak onstage at length about the animalistic treatment of the Dakota Access Protestors and the disgusting election results, mixed with a devilish irony that could make Mike Pence cry out in laughter and god knows what else.
Ben and Liv switched off during their performance, sharing the limelight on guitar and drums, face painted, dresses to the floor, they opened the show with “West Texas” and “Ugly Cherries”. They played a few older tunes but mixed in songs off their new album like “LOL” and “Silly” which displayed their glam-punk roots as well as a maturing message for a new generation of fans.
Their new songs show them to be profound social commentators and artists with a message regardless of creed. In these dark times they’re music and shooting guitar tones are warm and provocative enough to get anyone to listen, laugh, and maybe just, just maybe, let the love in a bit easier.
But with all that they bring a brutal realness to show that the fight of against oppression is just beginning. Whether it was Ben calling his dad a bitch from the stage, or him asking “hey sound-man, can you turn the reverb down a little, it sounds like I’m singing into my asshole.”, this band is direct.
Their venomous tongue in cheek jokes are scathing but serious. This persona is lasting, especially as it bleeds into lyrics off their new album like “who would they be if they’ve never taken my body”, or from “Projection”, “My skin isn’t made for the weather”. PWR BTTM has the amazing tendency to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and back again.
As Ben Hopkins would describe his show:
“bloggable, love it *belches*”
above photo credit: Hannah Burt
