Jon Spencer Blues Explosion + catl. + Bloodshot Bill @ Corona Theatre

So, I'm weird. I do this thing where I save the bands that I like, and explore them at a later date. This includes TV on the Radio, or Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, or the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. I am a fanatic for Boss Hog (Jon's band with his wife Cristina Martinez), and I do have three Blues Explosion albums (Extra Width, Experimental Remixes, and Xtra Acme USA). I've even checked out their latest, Meat and Bone; but ask me to name one Blues Explosion track and I flounder. I just wanted to warn you, this review will be pretty devoid of track listings. Can ya handle it? Well all right, it's time for the BLUES EXPLOSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My expectations walking into the Corona Theatre were pretty simple: I wanted Jon to yell "BLUES EXPLOSION!!!" at least once, and I wanted to dance like I'd never be allowed to dance again. Jon Spencer, Judah Bauer, and Russell Simins did not disappoint me at all.

When I arrived, Toronto band catl. were halfway through their set. I'm not a huge fan of opening bands but catl. got me bouncing by the third song. catl. is a three-piece featuring (ex-Deadly Snake) Andrew Moszynski on drums and harmonica, lead guitarist and lead vocalist catl, and organ/percussionist Sarah Kirkpatrick, who also does vocals. Kirkpatrick was wearing this white-fringe dress that shimmied and shook in time to catl.'s rockin' dirty blues. Heir apparent to B-52's Kate Pierson, Kirkpatrick's groovy organ playing completely complimented her flaming hot vocals. catl himself can pick with the best of them, creating a meaty wall of sound that really roots the band in the blues tradition. Lastly, it was Moszynski's fevered drum beat that drew me to the stage, and it was his wailing on harmonica that induced me to stay. This band is passionate about what they play and you can see it in every sound, beat, and move they make. Rollicking upbeat twang, I completely understand why they were chosen to open and they warmed us up good.

Now here's a great idea and something I've actually never seen before: they got local musician Bloodshot Bill to play up in the balcony during intermission. Just him, a kick drum, his guitar, and super distinctive voice. Hair Brylcreemed to the max, he turned the Corona into an impromptu hootenanny. I like Bill's style, to a certain extent. I've seen him play before, and I've always felt he might actually go big if he could tone down the non-stop histrionic Buddy Holly gimmicks. That's just my humble opinion. He played six or seven songs in total. Towards the end of the set he got the remarkably staid crowd to get involved in a sing along. He actually gave us a choice, put it to a vote and no one wanted a slow song. Interestingly enough, when I looked around, it was only the girls that were grooving to Bloodshot Bill. LLBB, the ladies love Bloodshot Bill.

After that, the wait was short and the Blues Explosion appeared. Supporting the re-release of their entire catalogue, it almost seemed that, like us, the band couldn't wait to rock that stage off its foundations. No introduction needed, no patter till the fourth song. Rock and roll hoochie koo man. Do they still got it? Hell yah, in spades. Jon in leather pants, leaping and squatting all over the stage, looked like some kinda alt-rock Marc Bolan. Judah was as chill as ice in a leather jacket, barely movin' to the beat, with Russell pounding away on his drums with an unmatched frenzy.

Things I loved about this show:

• Super crunchy '90s guitar riffs
• Awkward fits and starts of songs that still managed to be fluid
• I fast became a sweaty mess doin' the dirty boogie.
• Watching Russel get the focus halfway through as he broke it down
• Meanwhile Jon posed for pics, the consummate rock star

Things Jon said to us:

• Who remembers the '90s? The '80s? The '70s?
• 'Cause She's On It! C'ause She's On It! She's On it!
• Yeah? YEAH! YEAH! BLUES EXPLOSION!!!!!!!
• Let's Do It Right!
• Who wants some hell?! (x15)
• Call and response like a real blues man. H!, h! E!, e! L!, l! L!, l!
• He screams like a Pterodactyl
• Do you Wanna do it?!!!
• Get Yer Pants Off!!!

In conclusion, it was a sonic assault torn apart and into by three surf garage rock revival blues musicians that are geniuses at creating a crescendo of noise tempered with sped up fast and furious funk. For their final song of the encore they were pawed like rock gods, and in case it wasn't clear, Jon picked up the mike stand, and dropped it with a final flourish as if to say, "Our work here is done, were blowing this pop stand!" Blues Explosion indeed.