Thoughts on MOKB Presents Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.: White Rabbit Cabaret: Indianapolis: June 17, 2011
One of my biggest beefs with the indie music scene is the pretentious nature of many of the scene’s artists. We’ve all witnessed it—the teenager in face paint singing choruses in French over a backbeat of crying children. Vomit. In my experience, those that believe they reside at the forefront of an artistic revolution tend to be the last ones aboard the bandwagon.
Two pranksters from Detroit breathed some much-needed frivolity into indie music on Friday night. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.—yes, that is their name. And, no. You will not forget it.—brought their addictive hooks and body-moving beats to a packed White Rabbit Cabaret, in Indianapolis’ Fountain Square.
Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott, along with a drummer, took the stage in NASCAR racing gear only to shed it for three-piece suits. Think a reverse Clark Kent to Superman transformation. And super men they were.
Don’t let the band’s name and cheap gimmicks fool you, the sound is solid. Though Zott looks identical to Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock, he has the voice and energy that can move a room. Epstein would be a dream member of any band, navigating seamlessly from the keys to the synth to bass to guitar. His voice is stellar as well.
The duo turned trio offered the audience a premium blend of tracks from their debut release It’s a Corporate World, as well as a handful of covers. See the setlist here. By the time they played Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” for the first encore, the audience had worked itself into a frenzy. It was a full on party at the Cabaret that night.
Other high notes included the band’s raucous take on Gil Scott-Heron’s “We Almost Lost Detroit”, “An Ugly Person a Movie Screen”, “Simple Girl” and The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows”
Download or listen to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s recent Daytrotter Session: here.
Setlist: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.: White Rabbit Cabaret: Indianapolis
-Beach Boys cover
An Ugly Person on a Movie Screen
-Gil Scott-Heron cover
ENCORE:
-Steve Winwood cover
This week: Great Shows from MOKB Presents & Luna Music
Work proves less daunting with the prospect of a delicious reward at the end of the week. As usual, MOKB Presents is offering a couple of terrific distractions from the grind. In a city known for its naps, Dodge and friends continue to provide its natives with a multitude of reasons to stay awake.
Tomorrow night, Ray LaMontagne and his Pariah Dogs will bring their batch of bluesy foot-stompers from the recent God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise to The Lawn at White River. Reluctantly, I’ll be sitting this one out. Due to a recent robbery, the pocket money ain’t what it used to be.
That being said, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise is arguably LaMontagne’s strongest work to date. The album marks LaMontagne’s first stint as producer. The Pariah Dogs fill-out his songwriting nicely, without turning it into something different. The album would have worked flawlessly as the soundtrack to the Jeff Bridges film Crazy Heart.
Some of my favorite tracks include: “Beg Steal or Borrow”, “New York City’s Killing Me”, and “The Devil’s in the Jukebox”
Friday offers a double feature of up-and-coming indie act Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. From 4 until 7 PM, the band will do a free, in-store performance at Luna Music. Later that evening, the duo will take the stage at White Rabbit Cabaret. Phantasmagoria and Hot Fox will be on hand to lend support. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $8 in advance $10 at the door.
It’s A Corporate World is one of my favorite releases from 2011. The Detroit duo is comprised of Daniel Zott and Josh Epstein. Catchy hooks and Beach Boysesque harmonies abound on their addictive debut release. White Rabbit is the place to be this Friday.
Favorite Tracks: “Morning Thought”, “Nothing But Our Love”, “An Ugly Person On a Movie Screen”
Click here for a free download of the single “Morning Thought.”
Click here to listen to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s recent Daytrotter Session.
KCRW Presents: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.: here via NPR