(Jaguar Love, photo by Andrew Scherer)
Portland’s newest art punk band, Jaguar Love, got much love from a sold out crowd at the Vic Theatre last Friday in Chicago. Undoubtedly, the majority of the audience was comprised of dedicated fanatics of The Faint ready to get their dance on, however, Jaguar Love delivered the goods with grooves that provided a good warm-up.
The band is composed of former Blood Brothers’ members Johnny Whitney and Cody Votolato and former Pretty Girls Make Graves’ drummer, Jay Clark. And if the band’s sound wasn’t appealing to you (and by sound I’m referring to Whitney’s signature jarring high-pitched wails), his stellar dance moves proved to be hypnotizing at best.
(The Faint, photo by Kevin J. Bradley)
After hearing countless applause about Omaha, Nebraska’s The Faint and their amazing performances, including “The Faint will melt your mind”, my expectations were quite high as a maiden of their live show. And, in fact, they did not disappoint. Backed by a large screen streaming continuous video imagery and embraced by a rapid choreography of lights, the band performed a lengthy set that truly did “melt my mind”. In addition to songs off their new album, Fasciinatiion, classic crowd pleasers such as “Birth” and “Worked Up So Sexual” were included. With just about every single person on the floor dancing, the scene was practically a throwback to a decadent new wave party in a random 80’s flick.
I honestly couldn’t help but think that if MTV circa 1984 could envision the future of music, it would be The Faint. And lead singer, Todd Fink, donning a white laboratory coat only emphasized the point. Can anyone say Thomas Dolby?
– Tanya Van Kampen
Jaguar Love: takebacktheradworld.com
The Faint: www.thefaint.com