Rating: NNNNN
Tricky takeoverNASHVILLE PUSSY and TRICKY WOO with TUULI at Lee’s Palace, May 18. Tickets: $20. Attendance: 200. Rating: NNN
it didn’t really matter that the
Nashville headliners were actually from Georgia. Their lewd and monotonous metal performance proved that southern pussy is highly overrated.
Sure, the Grammy-nominated rockers delivered a flaming set, but the fact is, Nashville Pussy are impressive performers and not incredibly proficient musicians.
Predictably, their head-banging fans remained visibly enthusiastic as frontman Blaine Cartwright howled deafening trailer-trash anthems, the best label for songs like Hitchhike From Cincinnati To Kick The Shit Out Of Your Drunk Daddy. The rest of the foul-mouthed and energetic set delivered more of the same: unyielding clatter rather than actual musical compositions, courtesy of guitarist Ruyter Suys, bassist Tracy Almazan and drummer Jeremy Thompson.
The concert’s real high came from Montreal’s blazing Tricky Woo, who melded garage rock, punk and even some blues. Singer/guitarist Andrew Dickson clearly has a greater flair for his instrument than the Pussy’s Cartwright, and the accompaniment by bassist Eric Larock, drummer Patrick Conan and newcomer Phil Burns was nothing short of scorching.
Showcasing their latest release, Les Sables Magiques, the Woos’ sound intensified as they made effortless transitions between hot rhythms and complex chord changes to a satisfying instrumental climax. Sometimes I Cry (1999) may have ignited the careers of these Juno Award hopefuls, but their smouldering stage presence should ensure that they torch domestic rock charts in the near future.
Indie punk chicks Tuuli also displayed their rock-star potential (although they played to a sparse crowd early in the evening) and may even have snagged some aging rockers with their cheeky youthful antics.
If their Lee’s Palace gig was any indication, Nashville Pussy’s brand of redneck rock can stay south of the border. Canadians can get High As Hell off our own talent.EMILY MILLS
