Live: Manchild 4

by Spencer Griffith

Apr. 06, 2009

12:32 p.m.

Manchild 4 Release (Double Negative, Des Ark, The Loners, Goner)

Tir Na Nog, Raleigh

Saturday, April 4

To celebrate the release of Brian Walsby's fourth comic book, Manchild 4, Bifocal Media one-upped their Manchild 3 partya doubleheader of Double Negative and The Loners at Tir Na Nogby adding Goner and Des Ark to a stacked line-up, again at the downtown Irish pub. Though the event was competing directly with the second night of Viking Storm and a UNC/Villanova Final Four showdown, well over 200 local music backers, Raleigh barflies, and yes, Tar Heel faithful, passed through the green double doors for Saturday night's rock sampler.

Kicking off the progressively heavier bill was Goner, whose fist-pumping synth anthems for grown-up sots in denial peaked during a mid-set spree that featured the pop spazz of Rock 'N' Roll Always Forgets' opening triumvirate: "Better Than Blue", "Hella Jean" and the title track. Check video of that and each of the other bands after the jump.

With Eddie Taylor's telecaster and Chris Jones' kit the only parts that could be louder than Taylor's orange polo and plaid pant getup, The Loners hit the stage, blasting through a half-hour of punked-out garage blues, heavy on frayed 'n' fuzzy Revolution! cuts like "The Devil in You." Watch the duo's frenzied "Soul Shaker":

In three-piece format, Des Ark, as expected, absolutely destroyed. Frontwoman Aimee Argote whirled and flailed about, swinging her six-string around the audience and beside guitarist Noah Howard while Evan Rowe pounded the skins. The trio punish "No More Fighting Cats, OK?" below:

With the man of the hour on drums, Raleigh hardcore kings Double Negative played to the remnants of an initially hesitant crowd that thinned considerably after Des Ark. Taking matters into his own hands a couple songs in, vocalist Kevin Collins hurled half-empty PBRs at the idle remains before flinging himself off stage. As Collins pinballed amongst the reanimated pit, his band followed suit: guitarist Scott Williams and bassist Justin Gray challenging each other to play faster, louder and harder over Walsby's hyperactive drumming.

As always, there are more vids over on Scan's Youtube channel, including more from Saturday night as well as recent uploads of Whatever Brains, The Love Language and Pink Flag. Meanwhile, Tir Na Nog has another great month of Local Beer-Local Band scheduled, including The Magic Babies and The Huguenots on the 16th and Hammer No More The Fingers and Athens' Bambara the 30th.