Kasabian at Slim's - 3/11/05

I've been to some pretty good shows recently, among them Britt Daniel at Swedish American Music Hall in late 2004 and The Bravery at Cafe du Nord in January. But I can't remember the last time I've been to a show that rocked from start to finish like Kasabian's gig on Friday at Slim's. The band may be new, but they already have a good grasp what it means to be a great live act (they should share some tips with The Strokes, who were more the Country Bear Jamboree than an actual rock band when I saw them in 2003).

Kasabian was technically opening up for The Music, but it was pretty clear that the majority were there to see them. There's been a steady buzz building around the band for the last few months, despite the fact that their debut album has yet to be released stateside (ah, the wonders of the internet). Tickets sold out quickly and were being scalped outside and online for as much as $60 a pop. Not sure I would have paid that, but it turned out it would have been worth it.

In a fiendishly clever move, Kasabian sent out one of the worst bands I've ever seen to open the show. Called Morningwood, they featured a thoroughly generic sound and a screeching lead singer who, as one of my friends observed, looked like a slutty Mama Cass. And I can tell you that a slutty Mama Cass gyrating onstage and imploring a not-yet-drunk audience to "take off your clothes" is about as sexy as watching Mia Tyler wolf down a 24-piece bucket of KFC.

After the unpleasantness, the lights dimmed and Kasabian came onstage looking like their last showers were back in the UK several weeks ago. They opened with with 'I.D.', one of my favorite tracks off the album, and stormed through an energetic 45 minute set. With a minimal back catalog, the setlist pretty much mirrored the album, although I thought I heard one or two good new songs mixed in.

Kasabian's beat-heavy sound lends itself extremely well to live performances; I haven't danced since downing a flask of tequila at a Pimp's & Ho's party freshman year, yet I couldn't resist doing some heavy head-bobbing (no, I wasn't on my knees). It's fun to be at a show where EVERYONE is having a good time, regardless of how familiar they are with the band. I'd be curious to see if their sound plays as well in large venues, but it works extremely well in a small club atmosphere.

They closed with an intense version of 'Club Foot', muttered something in Manchester-ese and walked off the stage to a very hearty ovation. Well done, mates.

The Music followed, but the crowd's energy had peaked with Kasabian and they never really seemed into it. The Music are a solid band with some decent songs, but it doesn't help that their lead singer, Adam Nutter, sounds like a mix between Chip & Dale (pick one) and Michael Jackson. And their bassist looks a helluva lot like Jerry O'Connell in 'Stand By Me.' That just ain't rock & roll.

I'm not sure when Kasabian will be back in town; judging by the response, there's probably a pretty good chance they'll put together a solo club tour in the near future. I highly recommend checking them out while they're still playing small venues. They probably won't be for long.

To get a sample of Kasabian live, here are couple of MP3's from London's Cabinet War Rooms in mid-2004:

Club Foot
Reason is Treason