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Dan Deacon

September 23, 2008

After the Krannert Art Center show, I jumped over to the Canopy Club where Monotix were whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Let me mention that Monotix were a band that I had never heard of until I asked the person standing next to me “who is this band?”, so saying I had zero expectations is an understatement. The band was made up of three half naked long haired guys from Israel and they were absolutely crazy. Their set consisted of lots of crowd participation, monster riffs, some crazy tribal drumming, dumping a full garbage can on their drummer, Mordecai, and leading the crowd pied piper style outside. Well played, dudes (follow the jump below to see a couple Monotix pictures).

MP3 Monotix – Ride

Dark Meat was on next and if I can say one thing about their set is that it was FREAKIN’ LOUD. I guess that is what comes with having 12 people in various states of drunkedness playing as hard as they possibly while the lead singer shrieks out non-intelligable shrieks and growls. Despite the music being a bit much to handle, it was fun just to see what wild stuff they were going to do next. Bring a leaf-blower into the crowd and set it loose on everyone. Check! Continuously throw confetti all over the place and have girls dancing with pom-poms. Check! Have a guy spin around in the middle of the crowd with a giant tuba. Check! The set ended with the lead singer crowd surfing to the back of club and singing the last song on the drink rack. Could I distinguish one note of music that was played from another? No. Did I have lots of fun though? Yes, I did.

MP3 Dark Meat – Well F*** You Then

Finally we came to the main event, Dan Deacon, who wasted no time telling us that he was having a rough day and just wanted to party. And party we did. This was honestly one of the most unruly, hyperactive groups of people I’ve ever seen, and although the show had a slew of problems (mostly sound related), I don’t think anyone left not having an extremely fun time. Dan set up right below the stage, and invited everyone up there to dance. I was first in line, and ended up in a prime picture-taking / dancing my hiney off spot for the first couple songs “Okie Dokie” and “The Crystal Cat”.

Then something happened that no one expected. The stage fell through. Apparently dozens of people jumping up and down is bad for an old wooden stage, and it broke in a couple spots. Luckily, no one got hurt but it was bizarre experience to hear wood breaking and then feel the stage completely let out on you. Afterwards, Deacon told us that he had broken three stages at his shows, all in Illinois, and that we Illinoisans were a bunch of crazy motherf****ers. At this point also a cord must have been unplugged or smashed or something because the sound was completely messed up the rest of the night. No one seemed to mind at all though, they were having too much fun doing Dan’s sassy dance contest (people came prepared with moves) and doing giant human tunnel, which actually stretched all the way around the club.

By the time, “Wham City” came Dark Meat was on the (broken) stage with all their instruments and confetti machines which added to the madness and tons of crowd surfing ensued. It was all getting a bit too unruly so Deacon had to shut it down, which was probably the right thing to do at that point. As far as dance parties go, this was probably the rowdiest one I’ve been to and just watching people get that ridiculous was quite the rush. I do wish that the sound wouldn’t have been so screwed up but it definitely deter me or anyone else from having a great time.

MP3 Dan Deacon – The Crystal Cat

Click the link below to see more of my pictures from Dan and co.

Monotix