City On The Make with Crunkmonster at Nomad World Pub on 8/3/07

By: Jen Paulson

Mike Massey of City on the Make - Photo by David de Young (See full photo set here.)

I got to the Nomad Pub just in time to smoke a couple cigarettes on the always-bustling patio and hear some of the stylings of DJ outfit CrunkMonster. There was, I’d say, a three square foot crowd around the booth, and it was like a small part of the world erupting in dance mania. In my mind’s eye this struck me as a glimpse of some New York underground club scene, sliced out and transplanted into the confines of our West Bank venue, complete with some sassy haircuts and fashionable (while not appearing to try) clothes. And then he did some scratching to “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey, which for some reason, always magically unites a crowd. It may have left me scratching my head for a moment, but it was a bit of that Girl Talk-esque supplanting that I had to just appreciate it for what it was – fun.

With the relatively recent release of City on the Make’s debut album, In the Name of Progress, I will provide you with this oracle’s first prediction: there isn’t a radar with a wide enough radius to keep them under it. As soon as vocalist Mike Massey started laying it down I got the feeling that I had a Lifter Puller/Hold Steady fan on my hands. However, he took it a bit farther with fire and brimstone passion as he yelled, howled and even rapped that post-punk blues. My favorite track right now is “Fake ID,” a song that starts out of the silence with the growl “My name is Angelo, but my baby calls me Angel…” and explodes into sweet oblivion, ventures into oldies territory as Massey busts out some Chubby Checker with “…come on baby, let’s do the twist.” I love the conversational lyrical style that this band has throughout its songs. Despite a singing tone that sounds angry at times, songs like “Tangled Webs, Slithering Cobras,” proved hopeful and inspired. Before I name every single cut they did on Friday night, do this:  get out there, buy this album, listen to “Howling at a Sliver of the Moon,” and get some shit done.

Stephen Rowe and Colin Stumbras of City On The Make - de Young

Off stage these guys seem relatively unassuming, yet onstage, elevated from the masses and plugged in, they bring an intensity that burst right out the doors of the Nomad, spilling forth aggression onto the patio where numerous patrons still sat when they could have been taking in a great show. Such high-energy is hard to find, but they brought it - with Massey hopping and rocking from foot to foot as he yelled into the mic. Guitarist Mischa Kegan and bassist Stephen Rowe book-ended the stage and played their instruments with fervent prowess. Intensity and those hot stage lights must have prompted drummer Colin Stumbras to take his shirt off, but what’s a good band without a shirtless drummer? Besides, this guy was working overtime.

 

The Nomad staff had to kick us all out onto the street at the end of the night, but the crowd just hung around, one fan complete with a head-butted bloody nose spilling out onto the street. I couldn’t help but think of my dream of the fiery car, but instead, we just dissipated into the night.

Location Info: Nomad World Pub
Artist Info: City On The Make

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