Phillyist Reviews...The Black Lips

In the wake of a 15-song outing lasting just over 40 minutes, the Black Lips vocalist/bassist Jared Swilley knocked back a shot of Jameson at the upstairs bar; he should have brought enough to share with the class. The band rolled through their set, sandwiched in between Philly's The Mountain High and Chicago headliners The Pony's, to a packed house at the cozy Johnny Brenda's, barely stopping to introduce themselves or their songs. Not that it mattered, because their set was so tight nobody really noticed.

Though tamer than anticipated, the Black Lips had all the energy necessary to get even those unfamiliar with the group to nod their head and say 'yeah, this pretty much rules.' Expecting gratuitous guitar thrusting, some dude-ity and a certain level of personal space invasion, Phillyist was instead confronted with a band comfortable enough not to need a shtick to win over audiences.

As far as live bands go, these guys know the drill. Nobody wants to hear political soliloquy's, funny little jokes or an update on how much fun so and so is to play with on tour and blah blah. People want music, and The Black Lips delivered in fine fashion, without all the trappings of a band too into themselves.

Their music comes off like you would expect from a group backed by Vice Magazine; there's the energy of pop rock, only mixed with tequila and served straight instead of being over-produced and polished. Think Philly's The Tressels only a bit less boozy and a bit more raucous.

Mark it, dude: Based on their set, The Black Lips are going to be great. This band is addictive; once kids start learning the words, watch out.

Image Credit: Flickr user the_photographer