Live music review: Philly punks Mannequin Pussy slayed Empire Garage last night
Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy is an aggressive punk band with a lot of energy and a lot more to say. Sold out for Austin Sixth Street venue, The Parish, last night’s show moved to Empire Garage in the adjacent Red River District to accommodate a significantly larger crowd than what the 400 capacity, The Parish can hold.
Pinkshift kicked the night off, divulging this was one of their first tours together. But lead-singer Ashrita Kumar strutted around the stage like a vet. She dotted the metal breakdowns with hyena laughs and commanded the audience with the wave of her hand. Kumar couldn’t keep her feet on the ground with all her frolicking and headbanging on stage.
Angel Du$t then graced the stage with more power chords and fuzz. To those unfamiliar with the super-group (featuring members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice), singer, Justice Tripp can seem slightly out of place with a camouflage hat and acoustic guitar. He quickly puts any notion of country or soft rock to rest with fast-tempo, grunge and a loud howl. Tripp’s guitar stopped cooperating halfway into the set, which unleashed the intense bandleader into a chest-pounding fury as he threw himself into the pit. The audience coaxed the group into an extra song at the end of their set, throwing down one last, two minute frenzy of hardcore bliss before taking their leave.
I may have to self-censor myself when mentioning Mannequin Pussy (MP) to friends. Lead vocalist, Marisa ‘Missy’ Dabice, however, is an open book, holding nothing back with her emotionally-charged lyrics and primal screams. She uses the stage as catharsis, squeezing in about 20 short and tight songs during the show. The punchier songs mean Dabice’s lyrics stay personal and concise.
MP started the show with “Romantic,” a chord progression both gorgeous and explosive, the song is the perfect backdrop for an audience to belt out “I’m in hell” along with Dabice as she delves into the chorus. Personally my favorite song from the group, the track is the perfect combination of showcasing their expressive, vulnerable lyrics combined with a raw, intense delivery that continues to set Mannequin Pussy apart from their punk rock peers.
Shackled in a boot from spraining her ankle, Dabice didn’t let that stop her stage acrobatics or barbaric shouts. The quintet can mix high/low, loud/soft, but frequently leave it in their most comfortable gear: loud. Propelled by Kaleen Reading’s drums (perhaps the best pure player in the band), the songs on record already possess the kinetic energy of a mosh pit. Live, it’s less a wall of sound and more a chaotic changing of distortion-soaked barre chords. Underneath that are a lot of feelings about love, cops, and being drunk. Very drunk.
When Dabice sings, (or screams) you cannot help but listen. The human condition never felt so loud or romantic as they do when Mannequin Pussy performs.
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All photos by Drew Doggett
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