Notorious S.A.D.
Saturday, March 1st 2014
Planet Retro Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
A store by the name of Planet Retro appears, at first, to fit perfectly into Simon Reynolds' depressing vision of Retromania
-- a musical culture increasingly mining it's own past for lack of
interesting developments in the present. But, an awareness that the
past will eventually run out if we don't make new stuff must be present
within the owners of Planet Retro, as they also host gigs for local
bands. Tonight's is a donation-based fundraiser for Brother Sister
Sessions, St. Pete makers of retro-point boosting music videos.
When the drummer for Notorious S.A.D.,
Andrew Turner, starts singing, I think of the singing drummer from
Snuff -- as always in this scenario. The idea is put to bed when the
other two members join the vocals as well. It's quickly clear that NSAD
come more from the slice of the punky pie where you'll find The Vandals
or The Queers, dishing out fruity silliness in great doses (with a bit
more musical skill than those acts, admittedly). In this sense, their
name is the best purposefully inaccurate moniker since Parks and Recreation's optimistic
bureaucrat, Leslie Knope. The only time sadness rears its head during
their 25 minute set is when you think a song by the acronym of DILF
stands for the obvious; in fact, it is the tale of a Dude being Lost in
Florida. By just the third tune of this their second performance,
Notorious "D" Devon Mackinnon is dancing around on his back, snaking
upside down towards the audience whilst playing guitar. At the age of
24 he will either be this animated for the rest of his life, or become a
shitheap by this time next spring.
The band members are
planning a move to Austin later this year, so we should hope that they
do end up getting lost in Florida. Failing that, just go and see them
while you have the chance. An EP is on the way (review here).
Two
other bands performed this evening, but this review is being filed
under 'abandoned.' It seems only fair to include their pages though. Go
give them a listen:
Madame Albatross: https://www.facebook.com/MadameAlbatross
the patients: https://www.facebook.com/thepatientsband
