There is that week – usually the last in August – when freshmen get invited to college earlier then their upper class peers. The idea, commonly known as “orientation,” is to get them aquatinted with their new surroundings. We all know, though, that the elders show up on campus at the same time to comb the murky underbelly of cheap bars and dingy dining halls for their pick of the choicest freshmen and women. The week is usually full of intrigue, random hook-ups, and great stories (if they can be remembered). Such was the feeling in the Bowery Ballroom for Morningwood’s record release party.
The hype around the band has been immense and with good reason. The power pop rock of their debut self-titled album is alive and ricochets off the walls when you cue it up. Industry people mixing with hipsters played the role of upperclassmen and packed the Ballroom for the party eager to see what the hype was about or to relive some hazy memory of the band. Their first headlining gig in NYC in a venue of this size, Morningwood tried to live up to the buzz and for the most part succeeded.
Entering the stage to a sweaty tribal beat and opening with an instrumental, Morningwood arrived with what appeared to be both a new guitarist and a new Afro-sporting drummer. "Nu Rock" and "Televisor" opened the show up with some energetic fire, their sound of glam/punk/pop has a high energy level that never lagged. "Everybody Rules," "Babysitter" and "Body 21" let lead singer Chantal Claret command the show with her raw appeal and sultry moves, donning a magicians cane, pom-poms and dynamic voice. Her ebullient style is captivating and a little less reverb in her microphone would do her wonders. One standout tune was the metal riffed, "Horses." It’s chorus featured the question on everyone’s mind, “Why oh why, do ladies love horses?” Ah, certainly one of the great mysteries in life.
"Nth Degree," the bands best song, was accentuated with some Olivia Newton rock antics as Chantal Jazzercised her way into the ears and hearts of those listening and watching lustfully. During "Take off Your Clothes," desire spilled over as a tattooed female got stripped down to her g-string by the bawdy singer. This Russ Meyer-esq rock band banged out the set with tight precision. During the set closing "Jetsetter" the band had so much glam working it sounded as if some added tracking was in the mix to pump up the music of the foursome.
The party rolled on as the encore of "NY Girls" brought more titillating adventure. Some lady friends dropped by sporting revealing outfits and then proceeded to spray the crowd (and each other) with Champagne, toasting the band’s record release party. Like the cream of the freshmen crop, the ‘wood are ready to cut loose. Morningwood, is a little wild and still gelling as a band, but certainly ready to bust out of their jeans.
For more info see: morningwoodrocks.com
