Photo Review: Spank Rock and the Black Lips at Sonar

Photos by Chrissy

Friday's show at Sonar had all the ingredients for a beautiful disaster. My after work happy hour may limit the details of the night, but fun was had and music was played.

The best recalled news of the evening had to be the fact that Spank Rock mentioned he was working on a new album. It's been since 2006 since we've seen a full length from him. He put on a fun show, and the crowd seemed way more into him and Ninjasonik than the headliners.

The highlight of the night had to be Johnny Siera of the Deathset showing face. They all rocked "Negative Thinking" together, a song that only people without a soul don't get amped for. I also recall a Matt & Kim jam being played, pretty sure it was "Daylight". Spank Rock and Ninjasonik seemed to dig poppy east coast electro punk, but still repped their own brand of hip hop pretty solid.

The Black Lips were alright. They played what most would want to hear, including personal favorite "O Katrina!". But, the band just didn't seem that into it. There also appeared to be some tension on stage, as someone I was with noticed a couple of the members fighting with each other in between songs. Either way, the performance was a bit forgettable and was certainly without any of the antics that used to be a part of their shtick. Perhaps this is why the band seemed so bored.

Tonight: Spank Rock and the Black Lips

I've already gabbed about tonight's show at Sonar and gave away two pairs of tickets, but this isn't one to sleep on. One contest winner has been spit on by a member of the Black Lips, and will be back for more! If that's not love, then I don't know what is.

Spank Rock will be performing with Ninjasonik. Philly's PoPo will open, and are the latest bands to sign with Mad Decent. And the Black Lips, who recently did a Daytrotter session for your downloading pleasure, sometimes spit on people. See you there!

Ticket Giveaway: Black Lips and Spank Rock

In one of the most brilliant lineup's of the summer, both kinds of dirty are fully represented. Dirty rock and roll riffs paired with raunchy minded hip hop will be in full effect.

The Black Lips headline Sonar June 19, with Spank Rock and PoPo on support. Not part of any of the band's tours, this one-off show sports a completely original lineup. Not to mention, "this is the most caustic collection of trouble maker musical geniuses ever assembled". [via]

In the cut and paste mixtape age of hip hop, Spank Rock has always been a glaring outlier.

Old school beats rooted in everything from Baltimore club to samba to 80's dance have been a standard. Paired with Juwan's lyrical abilities, rhymes that never fail to sport just enough bootay innuendo.

The Black Lips' brand of country punked garage has always been steeped in blues and surf, a sound that is far more simple than that overthought description. 2007's Good Bad Not Evil was a breakthrough, but look no farther than the raucous jaunts of Let it Bloom and Black Lips! to get the proper idea. The new LP ain't too shabby either, and a GZA-like collaboration with Spank Rock that night won't be out of the question.

I have 2 pairs of free tickets courstesy of Sonar. If you feel in need of some boh-soaked ruckus on a Friday night, send an email to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com. I'll pick 2 winners at random the week before the show.