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St. Louis

August 31, 2010

Let’s just be up front about this: I am a notorious piano slut. I love keys more than any other instrument, and the next runner up is far in the distance. Give me Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, or Keane, and I am a lost girl. But lately, I’ve been straying. After a weekend of concerts at Loufest, I’m beginning to feel a foreign, uncomfortable affection. I never thought I’d say this, but… I think I love drummers. It’s too awful, but I can’t help myself.

Last night at The Firebird, I felt the familiar brain buzz that heretofore has only been awakened by my beloved piano pop. When Michael Benjamin Lerner, the beautiful genius behind Seattle band Telekinesis started going Ahab on his drum kit, singing his happy little heart out, my jaw dropped and the top of my head came off.

With little Gumby and Pokey figurines stuck to his bass drum, Lerner and crew laid down one of the catchiest songs I’ve ever heard, “All of a Sudden.”

All of a Sudden.mp3

Those sweet-faced kids gave St. Louis a solid set of smiling soon-to-be classics. This was only the second time the three had played live together [Telekinesis 3.0, as Lerner referred to it], after a Monday night show in Chicago. Lerner wrote, performed and recorded Telekinesis’ self-titled album alone, but has used various musicians for touring.

[Please forgive my crummy concert videos, I am saving for a better camera].

About half-way through, Lerner came out from behind the drum kit and sang by himself, playing a small acoustic guitar. I’d heard he gets nervous when he’s not playing the drums, but he seemed totally comfortable with us.

Lerner went back to the drums and they wrapped their set with the catchy-as-hell radio-ready jam, “Coast of Carolina.” It took a full half hour to wipe the goofy grin off my face, and it’s instantly replaced with the opening strains of that song. I do believe I’ll forever regret not rushing the stage and getting myself a sweaty rock-boy hug.

You can get Telekinesis’ self-titled album for $5 on Amazon, and I suggest you do. Their next full-length album is due out soon from Merge Records [though certainly not soon enough for me!]

Be sure to check out A to Z’s review of Telekinesis and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at the RFT website.