LAist: Concert Review - Moistboyz @ The Troubadour, 02/12/08

Ali Miller

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:46:57 -0800

Man i wish I could be at that b-fast. However I was born in 84 so I'd have absolutely no cred..."j-j-just pass the tabasco please..."

Elise Thompson

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:44:08 -0800

Lasagne? What happened to my waffles? I'm right there with ya bub, go read my hipster comments. It is a rite of passage. We are now real bloggers. Bob: Dickie eats breakfast? With those abs?

Ross A. Lincoln

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:53:59 -0800

Look guys, I'm not crying. It's just raining on my face. I've just been cutting onions. I'm making lasagna... for one.

bobzilla77

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:56:55 -0800

I feel ya CF. See Ross - you too failed to change the world with your ideas! Give up! By the way Elise & I are bringing Dickie over for breakfast to deliver his retort in person. See ya tomorrow.

CreativeForce

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:35:51 -0800

How in the world did I stumble on this review? No idea. I just gots to say something, though ... this ain't no "concert review." And the arguments made here by the writer are ... I'm sorry ... pretty stupid. I hate it when people try to sound like a snobby "real writer" and just go off on a bunch of unrelated tangents trying to sound deep and smart. I'm not a punker. Never have been. Been to one pseudo-punk show in high school. Never even heard of this band. But, let me get this straight. This guy went to one punk rock show, and without REALLY commenting on the music, concluded: 1. Rock is dying. 2. Trying to rebel through lyrics is futile 'cause you can't change the world. 3. "Different" "loud" music doesn't work on a commercial scale, thus people should not even try. 4. ... fuck it ... this "review" is so ignorant, my head hurts. Create art, baby! Any way YOU FEEL!! Some people will like it, some won't. Sometimes A LOT of people will, sometimes none. You may reach just ONE person! Fuck it. But don't stop creating art -- any way YOU see it.

Elise Thompson

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:34:33 -0800

OK I'll bring the jello shots and you bring the waffles!

Ross A. Lincoln

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:04:35 -0800

I support your fucking rocking platform, and you can count on my vote at the convention.

Elise Thompson

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:22:17 -0800

Congress held actual hearings...to essentially neuter the already limited commercial appeal of Punk Rock by suing bands like the Dead Kennedys out of existence; and lest we forget, in 1983 the city of Los Angeles actually banned hardcore band Suicidal Tendencies from playing inside city limits. Sorry, I read this paragraph as clearly lumping them in with bands that were politically castigated in the McArthy-esqueness of the times. My point is that that if you are talking about victims of political persecution, they are not the best example. Yeah, Suicidal scared people. They beat the shit out of people. And they couldn't make waffles worth a damn. But if you want to discuss the fact that music once scared people - I say it it still does. Music always scares the generation that went before. I think that's the point. From Frank Sinatra to Elvis to Black Flag to NWA to Marilyn Manson, bands are banned, parental advisory stickers are tossed around and kids continue to dye their hair black. Believe me, we can waste a lot of time on nostalgia over what once was. We can keep debating whether music these days really matters. Or we can get out there and fucking rock!

bobzilla77

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:43:07 -0800

It's funny, Suicidal was the first hardcore gig I ever went to. Nasty pieces of work, those people. Fantastic piece of work, that album. 100% free of redeeming social value and fit as a motherfuck. It's impossible to defend on any intellectual level, even the guys in Black Flag called them Saturday Morning Cartoon Tendencies. But when it comes on I just see red. I guess I can still listen to it since I never had my jaw broken by those guys personally.

Ross A. Lincoln

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:23:56 -0800

Sorry if I wasn't clearer - To clarify, my point in bringing up Suicidal tendencies had nothing to do with their politics, it had to do with the "controversy." That whole line of thought was about controversy and how Rock used to terify people. How controversy, sometimes for it's own sake, (which to me is a waste of time,) became a part of the artistic machinery of Rock. I suppose I could also have mentioned Ozzy, or KISS, or even GNR's shitty "one in a million." Perhaps I would have been clearer. Whether or not they were a gang, the fact is that they were banned from performing as a band. That's just crazy. Thugs aside, that whole thing was just a gimmick. I scary, terrifying gimmick, but a gimmick nonetheless. I wasn't defending them, just pointing out the usage of controversy. Perhaps I could have been clearer. And as for Rage, my point was that their biggest fans were people who would never support their politics. And also that they sucked. A lot. They are Limp BIzkit and Korn with better politics but the same crappy hybrid of alleged "rap" and unmusical "rock." But mostly, whatever they were saying, their biggest fans didn't pay attention to them anyway. Thus, message buried. Finally, pancake? What about Waffles?

Elise Thompson

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:34:19 -0800

Oh, and Suicidal was never banned because of their "politics" (All I wanted was a Pepsi). They were a gang. A gang with a fanbase of thugs who descended upon gigs like a pack of wolves, bringing beatdowns and mayhem wherever they went.

Elise Thompson

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:32:50 -0800

If Rage Against The Machine failed because “we don’t all live in an anarchist collective” as a result of their anthemic blend of polemics and power chords, then is “Guernica” a failed, meaningless work of art because we still have wars? Wow, That is one of the best arguments I have heard about speaking out that I have ever heard. I see what you are saying about "Dickie" being all over the place, Ross, and of course I agree with everything Bob says because he cooks me breakfast on weekends, changes the lightbulbs and takes spiders outside for me. Of course, if you make a mean stack of pancakes, Ross, I might be swayed. "Let's have a war! We could all use the space!" -FEAR

Ross A. Lincoln

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:21:39 -0800

Duly noted - the PMRC cases always confused me.

bobzilla77

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:05:45 -0800

Oh I wasn't asking for an apology. Just trying to bring clarity to the situation. You are free to speak. I'm not ANGRY you wrote that stuff. I just think it's off the mark. It's a rock band, not a political party. PS the PMRC never did sue anyone to my knowledge, but contributed to the general climate of fear that was going on at the time, followed closely by the Mapplethorpe & Serrano controversies. Jello Biafra was not sued, he was prosecuted for criminal obscenity by the District Attorney.

Ross A. Lincoln

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:27:23 -0800

Bob, I certainly don't begrudge you your anger, and I'm certainly not surprised. You were up there performing like crazy and I know I'd probably feel the same way if you came to my thing and didn't like it. But. I stand by what I said. I delivered an honest review. Whatever you may think, my opinion is that I owe the band or whatever it is I'm seeing the respect not to lie to them. FWIW, I was really exicited about it and looking forward to it. I'm a huge fan of Ween and from what Moistboyz songs I heard prior to talking to you, and after, I was expecting and looking forward to awesome. And for what it's worth, I thought the rest of the band was excellent. I really did. I know you're not his spokesman and you aren't required to answer for him. But I'm not going to apologize for being offended by sexist, macho nonsense that wasn't cool 30 years ago. And I'm not sorry for not being impressed by Dickie's retro 1985 schtick Bay Area punk rock schtick. As for my feelings on the relevance of Rock and music and politics, and I mean this with sincere respect, the fact is if an artist makes an explicit political POV part of understanding who they are and what they're about, then they ought to be judged on it. I don't buy that an artist can be extremely provocative and then when called on it, claim it's just for fun and people are taking them way too seriously. If it's just for "fun," then an artist should quit trying to be meaningful. Dickie Moist claims to support free speech. That goes both ways, right? Anyway, as I said, you're definitely not out of line, and justified. But I won't apologize for how I feel or for my review. Maybe at some point in the future, I can buy you a beer as a peace offering. You can even throw it in my face if you prefer. However, one thing, and this is important - if anything, I'm more like a Might magazine parody of an effete college professor, than a Mad Magazine parody. It's really a whole different level of pretentiousness with me.

bobzilla77

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:12:47 -0800

“Kill the next policeman that gets in your way/ It will set a good example for the children today” – The Crucifucks, “Cops For Fertilizer”, 1982 “…that sort of an approach has provoked a hostile response from people who have an opposing point of view.” – Some pig in Wisconsin re: the Crucifucks Ross, considering you told me you would “do backflips to write the review” of this show, and state in the review that you are not a fan of punk or metal, I have to assume you had this piece pretty well written before we played a note at the Troubadour. Fair enough. I asked for it. I can’t claim to speak for Dickie Moist. I’m not his spokesperson or apologist. I’m the drummer in this particular lineup of the band which did two shows in California, and hadn’t played with Guy (his real name which I don’t think is any great secret) since 1986. But I’ve known the dude for a long time and been into this kind of music even longer, so I think I can respond to the part asking for the Meaning of all this angry art. Frankly, if you’re devoting time to mocking people who physically rock out at a rock show because it “looks lame” then the Grand Meaning of all this has sailed past your pointy little head. Let’s go ahead and take it back to the time that you believe punk rock actually meant something. What is the meaning of the Crucifucks lyric quoted above, or for that matter, any of the various homicidal statements coming from punk rockers in the 80s? Did Millions of Dead Cops actually kill cops? Does Sick Pleasure literally plan to destroy the human race? Are the Dicks really serious about beheading the little children of bourgeois fascist pigs? Did their audiences take those lyrics as a call to arms to start murdering people in the streets? Fucking of course not. But then… does that make it just a parody? Are these people just pretending to be angry? Hmmm…. I sure wouldn’t be the one to go up to Gary Floyd, a commie queer taunting the police in Texas, and call him a phony. If Rage Against The Machine failed because “we don’t all live in an anarchist collective” as a result of their anthemic blend of polemics and power chords, then is “Guernica” a failed, meaningless work of art because we still have wars? Art has meaning if it resounds somewhere in the audience. And it doesn’t have to translate literally. Rock and roll is meant to be fun. Nasty and anti-social as some of it may appear, it’s all in the spirit of utter freedom: no idea off limits, but no idea taken at face value either. Go ahead, tear the lid off. Vent your spleen without fear. Moderation and Reasonableness are not the most valuable traits. Honesty your piece reminds me of those Mad Magazine parodies of college professors issuing pronouncements on the social significance of punk rock while ugly degenerates vomit on their shoes. In fact, maybe we should reenact that image for a photo-op. I’ll see you at the Hollywood KFC tonight at 7. Anyway I suppose I have to accept responsibility for inviting a dude who thinks people who rock out are lame, to check out a rock show. More fool me, as your man Phil Collins once said. I look forward to your thoughts on the forthcoming Dave Matthews gig, at which I can assure you absolutely no rocking out of any kind will take place, nor any uncomfortable statement emanate from the chests beneath those lovely cable knit sweaters. In the meantime we will continue to provide a pencil sharpener for your cynicism and laugh our asses off about what it all means.

Elise Thompson

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:07:52 -0800

They definitely sound like 80s punk - that's where every single member of this band comes from - most notably Butthole Surfer's Jeffrey Pinkus. Much of punk rock is a big pose to see whose buttons you can push. Sometimes one takes on the persona of the enemy, speaking in their voice to show their hypocricy. And some of it is just like a big cartoon. The apparent contradictions in "Dickie's" persona and lyrics are not at all out of place in the genre. (It's too bad I had to work and couldn't bring a little more estrogen into the room. I have also noticed the Troubadour is one big sausage fest, no matter who plays there.)