Living Things @ Johnny Brenda's

Living Things
@ Johnny Brenda’s
4/30/09
livingthingsmusic.com

With a mirror ball spinning overhead, a rail-thin Rock’N’Roll diva resembling Nancy Spungen’s pimp makes his way through the audience of Johnny Brenda’s, screaming “Where do all the dead boys go?” while coyly confronting panicked hipsters trying desperately not to spill their microbrews. After a few years off the radar, St. Louis’ Living Things are back to show the nation’s indie clubs that rock stars aren’t a thing of the past. Although the “radical”ness of their politics will likely remain forever in quotes, their new tunes are more suitable for kicking out jams than ever. The infectious synthetic groove of “Mercedes Marxist” could shake the asses of politicians and scenesters alike, “Snake Oil Man” set a folk protest song to a clap-along funk beat, and perfectly anthemic “Brass Knuckles” confronted the audience like a brick through the windshields of their hybrids. Living Things’ brand of garage rock, as soulful as it is riotous, hailed over the Philadelphia audience as ineffably chic frontman Lillian Berlin brilliantly shimmied across the stage like Dylan Thomas Stardust. Izzy Cihak