Make Up & MeYow

I’ve now read the interview I conducted with Make Up’s Ian Svenonius (vol. 6, Issue 30, April 3^rd) about eight times since publication, and (aside from it being something that I’m actually proud of) it’s occurred to me that one of most important things we touched on was a performer’s ability to bring the audience into the live experience and make the fans a part of the show. Perhaps that’s why people turn out in such droves, even in this neck of the woods, to see a band like Make Up. Their shows are legendary — Svenonius refers to the fans as the congregate and acts accordingly on stage, pulling zealous audience members into the mic space with him, shouting "Say yeah!" and eliciting a grand response from the fervent crowd, and playing outward, utilizing theatrical tenets of rock ‘n’ roll without coming off like a cheesy rock star… at least not one who takes it all very seriously, anyway.

It was this experience that we, the capacity crowd at the Blue Room, were after, and we got it. But we were first treated to a set of stellar music by local avant-rockers MeYow.

Jesse (guitar and vocals), Shoko (keys and other noise-makers) and Nik (drums) form what I suppose can be aptly described as a circus-tinged indie punk three-piece; a distorted and fun mash of groovy, catchy organ licks, fuzz-soaked guitar (and bass, when Jesse’s octave pedal is on), oddly syncopated rhythms and some fierce drumming. The vocals often seem to inspire the most curiosity from onlookers, as they run through a small mic (perhaps something as small as a micro-cassette recorder microphone, but I couldn’t tell) hung at the end of an interesting framework of thin plastic PVC tubing. The result is a fabulously echo-y and freakishly static-y sound that doesn’t necessarily impair the comprehensibility of the lyrics, but it sure adds a cool twist to the sound — one that the players build on quite deftly.

Due to the cancellation of the evening’s second scheduled act, The Spores, whose van blew up on the way to Chico, The Blue Room’s near packed house was treated to a full Meyow set that ended with a number called "Don’t Touch My Moustache." And judging by the buzz on the floor, the crowd looked forward to an equally full set from Make Up.

Seen hanging out earlier with various folks at the show, the members of Make Up emerged on stage dressed in flat, dark-blue outfits and took up their positions, relatively stoic waiting for Svenonius to hit the stage. A weird not-completely-silent hush fell over the crowd and Svenonius appeared from the door to the left of the stage. The congregate cheered.

Once everyone was on stage, the show got going quickly, and we were treated nearly every track off the group’s latest album, Save Yourself. The energy was intense, and in part I think that came from the fact that music live was more up-tempo than on the album. That, combined with the outgoing nature of Svenonius, Make Up’s consummate performer, really drew the audience into the show like it was filling a vacuum — the need for the absorption of art to consume in entirety the energy being exerted for its creation. Up at the front, Svenonius interacted personally with the crowd, and even had a chair brought up so he could use it as a perch on which to overlook his flock while expounding the word of Gospel Yeh-Yeh through soulful, interactive rock ‘n’ roll.

The band, though dressed in black and remaining almost completely unanimated, were something to watch themselves. Michelle Mae is solid bass player, and though she doesn’t move around much while she plays, you can tell she feels the groove. There’s something about the squint in her eye and the nod of her head that plainly shows her deep connection with the music. Drummer Steve Gamboa can tow the line between the fast heavy percussion required at frenzied crescendos of sermon rock, and the smooth, steady and mellow interludes that mark quieter moments in the show. James Canty — who, on the record plays guitar, keys and percussion — played primarily the keyboards and backing vocals at the show, while a fifth member handled guitar and backing vocal duties.

Make Up performed incredibly from the first note to the last call-and-response (I seem to remember it being during the band’s rendition of "They Live By Night," which was the title of a Blue Room play based on Make Up), the band and the audience gelled. The show was a phenomenal experience. It was truly a sermon to previous converts and a conversion for new-comers to the Gospel Yeh-Yeh sound, not to mention just the latest in a string of great rock shows at The Blue Room.

- Max Sidman
- photos by Lloyd Herrera

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