Live review: Obits at the Drunken Unicorn on Tues., March 17
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Rick Froberg brought his new band Obits to the Drunken Unicorn on Tuesday night, and Hot Snakes it is not. This new project finds Froberg and a new cast of players, including guitarist/vocalist Sohrab Habibion of Edsel, leaning on a more traditional rock sound. The press materials that came with the album this month quote Froberg waxing on about how innovation is an overrated thing, and he’s really taking that to heart, and that isn’t meant as an insult.
On the group’s debut album, I Blame You (Sub Pop) there’s a song called “Fake Kinkade” — a reference to buying a forged Thomas Kinkade painting — that works as a metaphor for this new found fascination with ripping off mimicking a very identifiable sound.
The real obstacle to get over with Obits is, once again, this is not Hot Snakes. Whenever Hot Snakes took the stage the group congealed with chemistry. Seeing them play was like getting hit in the face with a semi. From the first few restrained swipes of the guitar pick it’s obvious that Froberg still has some of that seething energy, but he’s working very hard to restrain it. This achieves a pretty cool affect in songs, like “Two Headed Coin,” “Light Sweet Crude” and “Back and Forth,” which is sure to be the jam of the summer.
What doesn’t work in the equation is the lackluster presence of the rest of his band mates. In a word, the group was statuesque as they skulked around the stage. There were audible grumbles about it, at least from somewhere close to where I was standing, but they were minor.
It’s hard to hate on Froberg. He’s the guy who gave Hot Snakes and Drive Like Jehu to the world. Obits is by no means a bad band at all, just a different beast altogether. Recommended if you like girl groups, the Jam and the Kinks. But if you’re looking for the Hot Snakes, just go listen to Suicide Invoice, get your fix and get over it.
(Photo by Steve Berry)
