Seraphina Lotkhamnga on April 18th, 2011

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Who: MEN in the Mojave Tent
In 3 Words Or Fewer: Agitprop disco
I’ll Remember This Until: Another trio performs with a large pink 3-jointed hat that makes them look like they were all about to go on some bicycle ride in space. The set from the new group fronted by JD Samson of Le Tigre served up disco-punk in its freshest form, with songs such as “Off Our Backs” and ”˜Credit Card Babie$” sending fans frolicking as if it were a late-night set in the Sahara set and not a sweltering midday outing. Whether those dancin’ fools paid attention to any of the songs’ potent political content is anybody’s guess, but in music and message MEN outstripped countless and aimless electro bands of today, hammering away with chants such as “This is what democracy looks like / This is what democracy sounds like.” The audience joined in on songs like “Who Am I To Feel So Free?” – and, performing with a tenacity that even swiveling glow sticks couldn’t dilute, MEN were admirable as they were catchy. To top it all off, a cover of Bikini Kill’s “Double Dare Ya” served as a finale.
What I Would Tell My Friend Who Was At Jack’s Mannequin: MEN will always be too busy challenging the system to have time and care about being something corporate.
– S.L.
Photo by Scott Dudelson