Throwing Muses, 3/12/09
Tonight, after a great set by Screaming Females, Kristin Hersh performed twice at the Music Hall of Williamsburg: Once with 50 Foot Wave (whose music you can download, guilt-free, for free here) and then with the original screaming females, Throwing Muses. Even though there was a break, her bands were practically the same since bassist Bernard Georges plays in both bands (drummer Rob Ahlers, who harmonizes quiet well—on the higher parts—no less, is the personnel distinction with the punkier 50 Foot Wave).
Despite the anxious nature of her music, Hersh is relaxed all night, laughing and making jokes. When Throwing Muses came on—timekeeper David Narcizo being the distinguishing factor—she drolly said, “Now we’re marching to the beat of a different drummer.” The band’s set contained a lot of fan favorites (though I would have liked to have heard “Hate My Way”") including “Limbo,” “Vicky’s Box” and “Pearl.”
The room was pretty full and she and the band seemed genuinely surprised with the reception the audience gave them. “This is great,” Hersh said at one point. “We could have been playing Brooklyn for 100 shows.” I guess the one thing that surprised me somewhat about the show was how immobile Hersh was. Granted, she’s playing guitar and pulling off some pretty amazing vocal feats—and her voice still sounds great, especially when she growls—but I expected her to sway somewhat or emote some other way. The emotion came through in her delivery, though, that’s all I can really ask for.
Also, as I said before, I was entertained her charming demeanor. Before she played “Pearl,” the last song before two encores, she said, “Thanks to Screaming Females and [pauses, then laughs] 50 Foot Wave.” When she came out for her encore, she told the audience “Y’all are sweet as pie. Thank you.” Hey, I don’t think I’ve ever been called sweet as pie before. Maybe that’s why I left happy tonight.
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