Cher U.K.

with The Swansons, Smashing Orange at The Rat
by Joey Ammo

A great triple-feature of indie bands at the Rat opened with the dirty garage anthems of Missouri’s Cher U.K. Vocalist/guitarist Mike McCoy echoes of Bob Mould in his Hüsker Dü days, with his duct-taped shoes and badly-tuned Gibson SG. Petite drummer Lisa McKenzie’s feet barely reached her drum pedals, yet she wailed on her kit, and the stand-in bassist’s tattoo-sleeved calf was hypnotic. They epitomized the plight of the small indie touring band, playing with glee to the few people who were there early, and offering to trade their CD for clean socks. Plus, with song titles like “Kibbles ‘n’ Bits,” an anthem to the dog food industry, how can ya’ not love ’em? Check out their new CD, Go-Go Fish, on Red Decibel.

Next up were The Swansons, with bob-coifed vocalist Lauren Fay doing her best Petula Clark-circa-1965 impression. The songs from their CD, Shake (Interscope), were mostly light pop fare, sort of a Letters to Cleo-meets-the Sundays, but Fay’s vocals were seductive live, as was the faux fur coat she was draped in.

Smashing Orange just blew the place away. The lead singer looked like a cross between Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Marc Bolan in their primes. The ’70s retro style of their music and appearance was untouchable. Smashing Orange looked like they stepped out of a time machine from 1967 but worked plenty of feedback and grind into their sound.

Locals The Stardarts finished off the night. All in all, one of the best bills of November. Keep bringing it to us, Rathskellar!