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Mother Bacchus Live at the Pontiac Grille on South Street

by
Robert Alexander

We hear the opening moments of their set from on the sidewalk outside the bar. We're talking to their manager who's telling us what a great thing he has in this band, and how happy he is that we have come out to the show. As he hands us a Mother Bacchus CD, and reassures us once more of how much we will love the show, we begin to make our way inside. The enthusiasm of the manager made us feel as if it was going to be a good night.

South Street was unusually empty for an evening in Philadelphia, but the Pontiac Grille is congested with people. For the most part it was a young crowd, probably many college students, who appear to be in good spirits and into the mood of the night. The band is about to conclude their first song by the time we are able to grab a brew and make our way to the front of the stage. As we try to steady the camera, girls are bumping against us as they dance excitedly to the music, though we make no attempt to dissuade them of what they are doing. The film all the more captures the energy of the show.

Upon the stage, five unassuming rock and rollers, average looking individuals in every way. The quintet consists of a drummer, bass player, rhythm and lead guitarists, and a lead singer, a line up quite familiar to the world of classic rock. The stage is deeper than it is wide, so members of the group are actually standing behind one another, with the drummer far in the back. They are dressed mainly in T-shirts and jeans, with one guitarist performing shoeless for the evening, as well. A large white sign with red lettering hangs on the back wall behind the drum kit. It reads simply: "MOTHER BACCHUS."

Mother Bacchus

Well it's all about the music, and this group certainly has a sound that is above average. This is especially true when you consider the multitude of bands out there on the bar circuit, shabbily regurgitating inane Jimmy Buffet hits and assorted pop standards of the day. Mother Bacchus writes their own songs (a task divided pretty evenly between the five members)and fairly decent ones in terms of how they are structured and developed melodically. The primary strength of their sound rests in the performance of Paul Fix on lead guitar, who seems more interested in exploring the mood and texture of a given song as opposed to delivering showy riffs that are usually boring and out of place. His playing is further complimented by Donald McCloskey on rhythm acoustic guitar, who provides a steady background while effectively blending the electric and acoustic sound. It is McCloskey as well who appears to be the focal point of audience attention, lending a great deal of energy and a certain charisma to the band's stage performance. This may be more often said of the lead singer, but not in the case of Mother Bacchus. However, their vocalist, Jeremy Browne, voice is certainly passable. His true depth of vocal potential comes to light when his singing is more subdued. The heart of the band was the rhythm section with bassist Mark Savage providing the groove, and drummer Bryan Master keeping steady time with a driving beat.

It's incredibly rare to come across a band that sounds so completely original that you cannot think of anyone else to compare against. We were reminded of old Kinks and sometimes REM when listening to Mother Bacchus; that plaintive, twangy sound. Really it is the sound of many college bands, trying hard to intersperse the use of pop conventions with what they view as their own particular style. However, Mother Bacchus has a leg up over the myriad's of up and coming bands in terms of musical quality, and as they mature can develop a style that is increasingly distinctive.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the group's performance is their ability to catch and hold on to the attention of an audience, no easy feat especially when virtually everyone is drinking or already drunk. The people of Philadelphia, at least the ones at the Pontiac Grille this night, like Mother Bacchus a lot. There is that certain, indefinable exchange of energy between performer and audience that sparks the magic any group is looking for whenever they play. After the final song of the set, they are called back to the stage for two encores and an endearing, acappella vocals to say goodnight. Now that's pretty original.

DOWNLOAD MOTHER BACCHUS MULTIMEDIA FOOTAGE FROM THE SHOW:

Little Mary Murphy - RealPlayer Streaming Media - Designed for 56 kbps modem (2.5 MB)
Little Mary Murphy - Microsoft AVI (6 MB)
Little Mary Murphy - Intel Indeo AVI (13 MB)

SET LIST:
1. Your Name in Lights
2. Elvis Magnet
3. Blue Seattle
4. Beautiful Girl
5. Californ-I-A
6. Jello Bowl
7. Sought After Thought
8. If I Were a $Rich Man
9. Let Me Go
10. Unstuck in Time
11. Little Mary Murphy . . . SEE VIDEO DOWNLOADS ABOVE
12. 42nd Street Wandering Song
13. Tab

  • All Mother Bacchus music and lyrics copyright © Throw it on The Table Inc.

    Encores: American Pie, Paul Revere (Beastie Boys).

    EPILOGUE

    Eric Brazilian, former lead singer of the Hooters, closed the show performing with his new band. In all honesty, we initially thought that most of the crowd had come out to see him, but we quickly abandoned this notion when half the people left after his first song. The crowd was there to see Mother Bacchus.

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