As for the EP title, We Prefer Not To . . . is based on the bizarre and lonely lead character in Herman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener, whose only response to the demands of his boss was “I would prefer not to.”
Future MUBU endeavors include a full-length release tentatively titled SCENTS slated for early 2009. (“We were throwing one-word titles around and just decided on it — all caps, baby,” Laorenza said.) Two of those tracks were on display at AS220, where MUBU, with Lamantia’s brother Jason on drums and childhood friend guitarist Ronald Webster fillingn out the live ensemble, shared a bill with Triangle Forest. Lamantia tore through the bouncy “I’m John River I Won’t Stop” and the standout “She’s Always X-Rated,” which benefitted from Webster’s searing guitar riffs and romped over the iPod Nano-supplied electro-tracks, while “Blame Game” received the biggest audience response, as a dizzying synth gave way to another unstoppable hook. And there was a show-stopping five seconds on “Jungle City,” providing one of those “holy shit” moments when the band locked in with a vicious, full-throttle finale not found on the EP.
Before the show, Laorenza casually quipped, “If we blow up and things take off, that’s cool,” he said. “We view our music as a creative outlet and our hobby.” But after the su-per-charged performance, he couldn’t hide his aspirations.
“We’re just having a good time, but we’re pretty serious about our ultimate goal,” Laorenza said through a prideful, ear-to-ear grin. “We know this is our time to make moves.”
Off the couch
Take a stroll down Main Street in East Greenwich and catch local acoustic phenom and ’08 Best Music Poll victor BEN PILGRIM, Thursday, July 31st at the Greenwich Hotel. Call 401.884.4200. The Scorpion Bowls will be flowing this evening at Chan’s with the ADAM GO QUARTET. Cali-based harmonica maestro and swing-blues specialist LYNWOOD SLIM stops by on Friday, August 1; check 401.765.1900 for info on both. Tough decisions on the indie scene in Providence on Friday, August 1, as Jerky’s Bar hosts Bay Area rap collective HIEROGLYPHICS (18+, $15). The three-eyed logo has become a seal of approval over the last 15 years or so for underground rap buffs, so dust off that 93 ’Til Infinity disc ’cuz SOULS OF MISCHIEF open. Meanwhile, Boston progcore kings THE DEAR HUNTER kick off their first headlining tour at the Living Room. Call 401.521.5200. On Sunday, August 3, the Ocean Mist hosts GARY GUITAR AND THE GRINDERS in a free afternoon affair. And local ska-core vets SENIOR DISCOUNT appear at Club Hell on Tuesday, August 5, opening for NYC’s Leftover Crack.
