live music review: tim mcmillan vs. yogi glare
There are some things in life that should not be accepted without question, like government policies and Scientology.
Others, however, need to be enjoyed without question, as anyone who’s ever tried to introduce one of their friends to The Mighty Boosh might know.
‘Why’s it called The Mighty Boosh?’
‘Don’t ask questions.’
‘What’s with the Old Gregg thing?’
‘Shhhhhhh.’
The press release for Tim McMillan vs. Yogi Glare quickly makes it apparent that The Tim McMillan Band is another such entity, which makes things a little difficult when you’re interviewing them.
Pioneers of the ‘Goblincore’ genre, also known as ‘Austrian dungeon incest grind’, Tim McMillan and bassist, Brad Lewis, introduce their sound to audiences with anecdotes and semi-vacant expressions that continue throughout a show that is difficult to definitively as either live music or comedy.
In between songs, many of which are covers (including a poignant fusion of Led Zeppelin and Toto), McMillan criticises the public for celebrating the ‘surf music’ crowd as leading environmentalists, given his firsthand knowledge of having seen Jack Johnson eat a baby dolphin (as yet unverified), and stories from their days in a band called Reverend Paedophile. McMillan’s delivery is perfect, but it’s hard to say why. It’s funny because it is.
Having said that, the audience on the evening I attended was predominantly middle-aged and the maniacal laughter that should be heard at this show was mostly absent, quickly making it apparent that the many references to popular culture that McMillan provides are better suited to the facebook generation.
Nonetheless, their musicianship is impressive and antics such as playing each other’s instruments (while the guitars are strapped around their usual players, no less) offer comic relief beyond just funny lyrics that we’ve come to expect from other comic music duos.
Lewis’s nodding along à la Mini Me is the perfect accompaniment to McMillan’s sketches, and although all of this doesn’t exactly sound like the tale of a 300 year old Norwegian Mountain Yogi, you can rest assured that all will be wholly and adequately explained during the show.
The Tim McMillan Band will be performing at Adelaide’s Worldsend Hotel until March 11 and lip has two double passes to give away! To enter, just email [email protected] with ‘Yogi Glare’ in the subject line!
Click here for more information and tickets!
