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Artists:
  CATFIGHT! w/ Dixie Witch  
 
Date:
  Saturday.12.January.2002  
 
Venue:
  The Star Bar  
 
Location:
  Little Five Points, Atlanta, GA  
 
Reviewed by:
  Tracers  
         
 
Performance Rating:
   
 
Sound Quality:
   
 
Overall Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

Despite what many critics may tell you, a music review is inherently a reflection of the author's state of mind. This is especially true when you're talking about the concert experience: no matter how objective you might feel, everything that's going on in your head will influence how you perceive a show. The best you can do is acknowledge what's going on and then move on from there.

With that in mind, let's just state up front that I was not in a good place for this concert. First off, I was slightly ill, having woken up that morning with no voice and a sore throat. Second, I'd had a heavy meal, which left me tired and a little out of it. Finally, I was mentally sorting through some things, questioning my judgment in human interactions and feeling somewhat vulnerable. In other words, I had no business being out in public. But other Minions really wanted to see this show and as I had no plans, I figured why not?

The only thing I knew about the opening band, Dixie Witch, was that they hailed from Denton, TX -- home of my current favs, Centro-Matic, as well as the always interesting Slobberbone. So I suppose I was thinking this band might be similar in sound to those others. But they weren't. Instead of playing a twang with an emphasis on the songwriting, Dixie Witch harkened back to the 70s with a sound that recalls Black Sabbath or one of those classic hard rock bands (back before hard rock became hair metal). It's a sound without illusion -- there were no effects to cover up the pounding drums and screaming guitar. There was no choirboy prettiness to the singing. There was just the music, and the masses of people in The Star Bar getting totally into it, thereby proving that every man of a certain age doe indeed have an inner headbanger. Me? I wasn't as totally into it, but I have to confess that it was certainly fun, and the musicians themselves seemed to be having the most fun overall.

Fun, I suppose, is also the best way to describe Catfight! As I've stated before, I don't think Catfight! is the most original of bands; you can clearly hear the classic punk and garage rock influences behind their music. Several people I know can't stand the band; they think the lyrics are a little too obvious, the sexuality is too played up, and the musicianship isn't the best. Whether or not any of that is true, it's also clear that Catfight! is one of those bands that always seems to have a good time when they play. And the audience always seems to get into their Shangri Las via The Ramones take on romance and cars.

Still, after the energy and spectacle of Dixie Witch, I was tired. If Catfight! had been overwhelming, I could have been convinced to stay. But I had seen them in the recent past and the set list was largely the same (as it has been for years, pretty much). So despite the obvious good time occurring on and around the stage, I decided to give into my overall malaise, and about halfway through their quick set, I headed home for the evening.

 
         
 
Related Links:
 

A recent Catfight! show.

 
         

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