Inspiration can come from the strangest of places. Last Friday at Chicago’s Abbey Pub, Mission of Burma’s inspiration came from one faulty microphone stand. The post-punk giants, comprising bassist Clint Conley, drummer Peter Prescott, and guitarist Roger Miller, took the stage that night, launching into Miller’s “1001 Pleasant Dreams” from The Obliterati (2006).
After a single verse, Miller’s shoddy mic stand trembled for a moment, threatening the inevitable, and finally fell straight backwards, just shy of Prescott’s drums. Without missing a beat, Miller grabbed up the stand, sang a guitarless verse, and dropped the mic yet again to provide an even more dynamic and explosive chorus.
As a roadie struggled to gain control of the wily stand, Miller once again eschewed guitar to pick up the mic with both hands, and with all his ferocity, shouted yet another verse, scowling at the situation and erupting again into the anthemic chorus. This seemed the very embodiment of punk rock — utter defiance of one’s condition. Or it was just a technical flub. Either way, it was dramatic and beautiful, and owing to a mere mic stand.
In this mostly fabulous performance, many selections came from The Obliterati and the band’s 1982 opus Vs., and the arrangement of the setlist attempted to bridge the gap. “Mica” from Vs. seamlessly segued into last year’s “Donna Sumeria.”
It was evident that Burma have only grown in their expertise over the years. Prescott was in fine form throughout, especially on his own two contributions to the set, “The Enthusiast,” from 2004’s ONoffON, and a fierce version of The Obliterati‘s “Let Yourself Go.”
The band also debuted a few new songs, the best of which was the anti-anthem “So Fuck It.” With a riff lifted straight from the Stooges’ Fun House album, some trademark Miller jangle, and terrific harmonies from Conley, it was a highlight even alongside classic songs. Though distinctly Burma, the song stood out from the pack. The band is still exploring, and are talented enough for their explorations to succeed.
Burma favorites like “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver” and “Peking Spring” made no appearance, but they were hardly missed in the presence of newer and equally rousing anthems like “Nancy Reagan’s Head,” “Man In Decline,” and “Spider’s Web.”
The band finally has a sizable repertoire of music that is all at least good — often great — and as such, the “hits” are no longer necessary. Mission of Burma is every bit as vital, prolific and relevant as it was in its first incarnation, and it doesn’t look like there’s any end in sight.
– Mike McGovern
Mission of Burma: www.missionofburma.com
Matador Records: www.matadorrecords.com
Chicago Mastering Service: www.chicagomasteringservice.com