EGO

Crystal Antlers singer/bassplayer started out with 'EGO' written on his swetter. At the end of the concert it only said 'G'. The other letters had fallen off. It was a very powerful gig.

Wakey, wakey! Here's Ponytail

Yep, Ponytail live at Paradiso last night was beyond expectations. Why actually? I heard about their reputation (for instance, they were named 'best live band' by Batlimore City Paper in 2007) and saw them play a few songs live before. But that was just on my tiny computer screen. Also, I almost can't listen to all the songs on their record in one go. It's just too hectic and noisy. Not that I don't like it, because I do, it's great. 

Their sound (surf rock?) has been compared to Deerhoof, amongst others. But Deerhoof is a bit more 'arty' or 'nerdy' I would say. I've seen Deerhoof playing live too, a couple of months ago at the Milkyway, and they sound much more controlled. Except for the possessed drummer Greg Saunier the band stays relatively cool, with Satomi Matsuzaki singing friendly melodies in her child-like voice.

With Ponytail all four band members go completely overboard from scratch. And singer Molly Siegel is a charismatic front figure, moving in her own strange way, jumping up and down with eyes closed, shouting and screeming 

like a crazy person. 

It was also a nice contrast with School of Seven Bells, who played just before Ponytail on the same stage. Their show was also quite good (great guitarist!), but they sounded and looked so very sophisticated that I couldn't help my mind drifting off once and a while. Ponytail woke me up good – and when I got home I fell asleep with a smile on my face. 

'Your life is oh-over!'

Titus Andronicus live at Paradiso, February 28, 2009. Following their energetic 2008-debut The Airing of Grievances five-peace pop punkband Titus Andronicus from Glen Rock, New Jersey, played their first ever gig at Paradiso. The tracklist was written on an empty pizza box. 'Amsterdam is a great place for pizza,' so I was told by Andrew Cedermark, one of the guitarists. They gave a loud and ferocious show with a nice build up towards the title song of their record, with the shout-a-long chorus maxim: 'Your life is over! Your life is over! Your life is oh-over!' It was lots of fun.