USS at WECC, Winnipeg, March 23 2010. Ailsa Dyson photo
Review and photos–USS at WECC, Winnipeg, March 23 2010
– review by Eugene Osudar/photos by Ailsa Dyson
he sings like a sweetened
(painless) Nirvana Cobain.
he dances like a frantic lunatic.
they act stupid
and contagious, they’re
outrageous. the he(s) are USS.
it’s a wonderful joke
don’t take it seriously
it’s dance music and really (after,all)
a celebration of The Now. it’s fun and somehow,
a somebody (or two) isn’t/aren’t amused.
ya can’t please…
don’t be confused, i Loved, LOVED!
The Now
of USS. (pardon my shouting)
the dance explosion.
high energy rock and dance
from nothingness something(ness)
ignited. the set,up:
there are toys. a spaceman and a thoughtful
cranium/treasures of garage sales and thrift
stores, on a table,
an owl and an orb. oh! a carton of Organic
OJ on the floor. 2 liters. raspberries and a banana.
a blender. to shake and stir. safety glasses.
a puppy and a wolf. and then, Ash Buchholz
begins singing, strumming acoustic guitar,
is this the sound,check? No because!!!!
Suddenly!!!! Jason Parsons!!!!
explodes!!! on stage and there’s jumping and dancing,
wild mic cord swinging
like a skunk smashed Roger Daltry!
handstands and flips and scissor,kicks, DJ scratCHing
and there’s rap parodies, and dance contest
comedies, The Cat, The Robot, The Poker,
The Dealer, The Hybrid,
the cat, robot, dealer, mixed. Up?
Ash sits on Jason’s shoulders, lifts, up! and scratches.
turntable DJ sillies.
USS at the West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg. Ailsa Dyson photo
get down, boys and girls, prepare yourselves for the men
in motion and be, Motion,less if you dare. this is what
the Ed Sullivan Show would be like, Variety Dance Synthesis,
Now if Ed Sullivan was alive and kicking out the jams,
there’s a song for Newfies. For Dale Hawerchuk.
Ash says, “I lost my virginity at The Albert.”
Jason says, “I wanna dance.” and, basically,
he dances all the time. i like that.
“if Nirvana ever played at a rave,
this is what we would like it
to sound like.”
stapler/distorto/rock.
no one sits back. we’re drawn in
and up to the stage.
there aren’t many, but we’re committed
to share in the maximum fun energy.
“let’s dance like idiots, shall we?” Jason asks.
“Yes! Beautiful!” says i.
USS at the West End Cultural Centre, March 23. Ailsa Dyson photo
and what follows is a 62 minute dance party
I Need Weed Like a Career
Anti-Venom
Neurochemical Warfare Gas Masquerade
Hollow Point Sniper Hyperbole
Stationary Robbery
Hey Ya
The Honey Pot
Cloud Boy
Drop Around The Clock
2 15/16
Laces Out
Me vs Us
Fell In Love With a Girl
the packaging of the new CD
is brilliant, folding out
design Aboriginal(ly)
brightly colored swirling dreams
and refolding, it’s called
Questamation.
the song titles (inform) you
all you need to know
this is
Fun
don’t take it so seriously (So! Seriously!)
and near the end of the maximum
sweat set, they make refreshing
energy drinks, Ash smooshes
extra raspberries into his
salty forehead! it’s all fun. it’s silly fun.
toasting the audience,
raspberries, banana and organic OJ
blenderized. and poured. and cheers!
time is meaningless. and cut/up
into pieces of banana.
The Elixir. The elegy.
USS at the West End Cultural Centre, March 23. Ailsa Dyson photo
Mannequin arm and hand
high 5s for the audience. a nice
comedic touching end
to a dance party begun,
by, The Stables,
playing an astonishingly
(having seen/danced them a few
times before and of course, they
didn’t disappoint) hot and better
and better every song is, a bigger
heat blast,
30 minutes. playing a bass made from
a hockey stick. O Canada! suitcase thump
drum
bongos. beatNX. and sweet harmonies.
instrumental switcheroos. Banjo tunes
think Elliott Brood power. intensity.
roots/punk. go go go.
Wouldn’t Do
Bound To Die
I Let You Down
Frisbee
Underneath a Tree
Big Foot
Wavin’
Ball and Chain.
they’re touring,
watch out
Western Canada,
dance party!
USS
The Stables
WECC
March 23.
USS at the West End Cultural Centre, March 23. Ailsa Dyson photo
