Living
Things rocks Hollywood
By
Kimberlee Morrison
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
There is something special about the energy and angst Living Things brought
to the Galaxy Theater stage Sunday, April 24. It could be that Berlin brothers
Lillian, Eve, Bosh and guitarist Corey Becker (their best friend) are brothers
but the magic the group created together was unmistakable.
The audience gathered in the pit with anticipation, with the tension mounting
and just when we thought we could not stand it any longer, the guitarist struck
an ear -shattering cord. The lights flashed brilliantly and the stage went
dark. As the lights slowly brightened Lillian Berlin emerged shirtless, clad
in tight pants and a leather jacket. With a confident swagger he burst onto
the stage and growled into the microphone.
Politics also had a hand in the performance. Before launching into “Bombs
Below” Lillian Berlin informed the audience of the censorship surrounding
them “…song for the troops in Iraq,” though with lyrics like “Where
do all the dead boys go... go... go... go...go/no solutions just bombs below,” what
exactly was censored was not apparent.
Like hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, Living Things understood how to balance politics
and pop music. With a sound that is very much Rolling Stones rock meets The
Dead Kennedys politics, the hit “Bom Bom Bom” proved to be a crowd
favorite. The small but vocal audience came to life as the Berlin brothers
sang “ We’re gonna wake this city tonight/Oh watch it burn until
the twilight.”
Although the Living Things were the main draw for the intimate crowd, it was
tour mates Diamond Nights who stole the show. With a performance designed for
audience participation, lead singer Morgan Phalen spent much of his time in
the pit himself, dancing, and jumping off of the stage divider.
All that said, the best part of all was the obvious pleasure the Living Things
got out of playing together, which could not be touched by any other band performing
that night.
Drummer Bosh Berlin had the so much energy during every song that he looked
like he would break his neck if he banged it any harder. Eve and Corey Berlin
were drawn toward one another constantly, as they played with the definite
enthusiasm that made it clear these musicians were playing for themselves as
much as for the audience.
Proving that less is more, the band finished their performance just as abruptly
as it had began. The stage went dark and the group walked off, leaving the
speakers squealing with the feedback of abandoned instruments. As ripples of
confusion pulsated through the audience Living Things returned to the stage
for an encore performance, only to leave just as quickly as they had arrived.
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