I just saw Pylon Reenactment Society (aka PRS) a week before this at The Earl with The Bongos. They were wonderful and had a great show. What changes in a week? Well, honestly, not much. The Foundry is a very nice venue, with a big, long stage, TWO balconies with tables (my pal Bob and I sat at the lower balcony) with great views and great sound. PRS was able to spread out on stage, and they seemed to be REALLY having a great time in their hometown.
The set was essentially the same as last week. As I have mentioned before, a band that began as a Pylon tribute band has really flowered and is writing great original material of their own. They played sixteen songs; five were new. This is a great development. Opening with ‘Beep,’ they played the atmospheric new song ‘Compression,’ then the Pylon classics ‘Cool’ and ‘Dub.’ ‘Dub’ got the crowd and the band going. Guitarist Jason NeSmith was all over the tunes, bass genius Kay Stantion was again in top form, and keyboardist/cheerleader Damon Denton was jumping all around like a hype-man. Drummer Joe Rowe was solid as ever, not flashy but the crucial heartbeat of what really is a dance band.
Of course, singer/frontwoman Vanessa Briscoe-Hay is the true star of PRS. Her vocals are as good as ever, and her kinetic energy, dancing, and stage prowling were infectious. The mid-set songs were ‘Messenger,’ a great new song (and single - our Podcast at tinyurl.com/zubmessenger), another interesting new song called ‘Educate Me,’ the classics ‘Crazy,’ (tinyurl.com/zubcrazy) and ‘Danger,’ followed by another new tune, the funny ‘Twister’ (yes, about the polka-dotted gymnastic game). They ended up with ‘Feast On My Heart’ (a song The Beef People played for YEARS), and ‘Stop It’ (“don’t rock and roll”). The crowd was pleased, the band was sweaty and glowing, and everyone was having FUN. My friend Bob hadn’t seen Pylon since 1981, and he was smiling for ear to ear (as was I).
Encores included ‘Precaution’ and the dance party that is ‘M-Train’ (“woo woo!”). I’m so happy that Vanessa continues to fly the flag for the unique, post-punk, funk, art-dance of Pylon. They are one of the most original and unique sounding bands in America, right here in our backyard. If you haven’t seen them please make the effort. They are essential.
----Steve McGowan
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