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Concert Sun Aug 01 2010
Review: The Dead Weather @ The Congress Theater, 7/30
The Dead Weather perform at the Congress Theatre (photos by Andy Keil)
Any day that ends with getting to see Jack White play guitar is a good day in my book. And a packed house was treated to just that Friday night, when White and his latest incarnation of a band, The Dead Weather, rolled into The Congress. Always a man of many talents, White actually plays the drums this time around, alongside members of The Raconteurs, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Kills. The band doles out a sultry brand of blues rock, and from the moment they took the stage the temperature rose, and it wasn't due to the faulty air conditioning in The Congress.
Alison Mosshart of The Dead Weather (photo by Andy Keil)
As singer Alison Mosshart sauntered on the stage, an eerie blue eye surfaced high above the background, giving off a spooky voodoo vibe while smoke machines curled fog around the band. White burst forth immediately with a racing drum beat and Mosshart trots out her usual sex kitten meets girl in need of an exorcism persona. They launched into "60 Feet Tall" and its obvious that live the band is even more dirty Delta blues in sound, not holding back at all like they do at times on their records. The major influences are there on the albums, but live the pain, sex, and grit of blues music is more evident and intense. The contrast from the purely sexual "Hang You From the Heavens" to the tender delivery of "You Just Can't Win" are textbooks examples of what the soul of blues music is all about.
Dean Fertita of The Dead Weather (photo by Andy Keil)
The band caught a stride with the jangly "Cut Like a Buffalo," and keep it going with the electronic tinged "The Different Between Us." Mosshart bends over the amps hitting pose after pose, effortlessly sexy, as the ever present eye above the band blinks in time during "Die By the Drop." White finally switches over to guitar, and transforms the slow burning track "Will There Be Enough Water?" by manipulating and building tension with not only his guitar but leading lady. The chemistry between the two is blindingly obvious, and the sexual tension palpable. Just inches away from each other crooning into the the same microphone, you almost expect them to tear each other apart, either violently, sexually, or both. The Dead Weather is by far the most primal act White has been a part of, and although I love his other endeavors, The Dead Weather is pure intensity and fun for both band and audience. As they end the night with their first single "Treat Me Like Your Mother" Mosshart growls and arches her back, moving like a cat in heat. The band makes one final push before the last notes ring out as they all hug and take one last bow. It was dirty, it was fun, and I think I might need a cigarette and a cold shower after.
Stephanie Griffin / August 2, 2010 9:25 AM
Not gonna lie, that first photo is being saved to my desktop immediately.