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Paul Murphy Band
Max's Kansas City, NYC
5 August 1998
For lack of a better term, Max's is a bar/restaurant with a stage in the back. It may not sound like much but it provides a wonderfully intimate venue to see a band... and it's got a history (such as Deborah Harry of BLONDIE had waitressed here).
The Paul Murphy Band is a 3- sometimes 4-piece outfit and it's difficult to stick them into a category... other than "They're good." With a solid rhythm and fresh sound, their songs are attention-getting and be no means stale. The frontman (we hazard a guess THAT'S Paul Murphy) is a very talented guitarist and vocalist. Their sound is not so polished that it comes across as sterile, it's very much alive, and they do not offer long, drawn out axe solos hell-bent on PROVING their level of expertise...
Within the first few songs, the ballads seem a little shaky and collapse in on themselves. Whilst good and touching, the lighter pieces played early on lack the same confidence present in the others. At first, one is left to think that they lend themselves better to the harder, heavier material... but this opinion formed early on is nullified.
The lead guitar-work is clean and distinctive, though the lyrics to some of the songs become slightly repetitive. The songs, both heavy and soft, leave one with a Michael Penn-ish taste in the mouth. And they have their political moment, too... introduced as "The Crocodile Song." The numbers are slower here and with the lyrics draw you in... they've redeemed themselves in the "Ballad Department."
One of the true highlights is during the song "The Casualties and Me" as they add an accordion to the line up. This is a wonderful touch that adds a new dimension to their sound with a unique quality. It's a nice touch and good to see bands deviating from the traditional guitar, bass, keyboards...
A portion of the pieces performed had a quasi rockabilly sound and feel to them, only to deviate to songs reeking of commercial metal's "Once Bitten Twice Shy."
"I'll See You In Hell" breaks out the acoustics. This song was, by and large, the highpoint of their first set.
Two songs are performed solo, proving that Paul Murphy (if it came down to it) could easily stand on his own with just his guitar. He maintains a good rapport with the audience and sports a sense of humor, even amidst intoxicated well-wishers.
The rest of the band rejoins him and set comes full circle with the fast-paced "When the Soul Divides." All in all... a very good evening!
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| Next month, if the planets are in alignment, IPO will bring you BAUHAUS, the AQUABATS, Bob Mould, Sunny Day Real Estate, and a couple other surprises...
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