Review - Crazy Penis
Lead singer for Lychee Martini, Nicole Shenko, seemed in a vibrant mood when we arrived at Billboard, looking quite fetching in a black and red ensemble, her hair swept at the sides. The lyrics coming through felt a little laden in cheese, however most people seemed to be lapping it up as a smooth start to the night. Martini had quite a cabaret feel, and yet the funk and cross-genre rhythms made it for a nice, if a little somber introduction to the night. All in all, Lychee were a good warm up, yet as much as they were tight, there was somwething very hotel-bar feel about them, with little movement on the stage.
One song that stood out, with the verse “I dont believe in your kiss” may, indeed, have almost sounded as cheesy as its reframe, however a great conga line and latin styles leant it a more somber tone, and Shenkos almost but not quite and not quite reaching their peak vocals that seemed to taun of Shirley Bassy leant it just the right feel. All in all, Lychee were a good warm up, and as much as they were tight, there was somwething very hotel-bar feel about them, and there were moments were the thought “They’d be great stripped back and all accoustic” floated around, which may not necessaril;y be abad thing, nor a good thing given the setting of Billboard. The band was funky, often full and inspired - crossing over several genres to blend into something new, and the guitar leads and keyboard snaps were spot on. The only complaint beyond the cheese-factor of the lyrics would be that the delicably attired Shenko needs to discover the rest of the stage, her performance seemed much too cabaret in feel with little movement on the stage beyond the microphone stand, and that it felt like her voice is still waiting to be given its full range - something to look forward to, perhaps.
Mike Gurrieri came up on the decks next as the stage was prepared for the main show - his tunes felt pretty early morning revolver, but sat okay as an interlude. Some nice bass driven funk started to get the crowd hyped up as people continued to arrive, and by the time the curtains came up the room was comfortably full.
Launching into their set with “Theres a better place”, Crazy Penis quickly stole the stage. Danielle Moore seemed almost to be channelling Blondie, tambourine in hand, black frills and purple metallic leggings all in place to compliment her stage strutting energy. By the time they played “Never gunna reach me” the room was full, and the crowd was grooving. After a little audience participation with the vocals in “Caught Up”, Moore left the stage the band then went into a classic Crazy P instrumental, further setting their fans feet in motion.
Returning with a blue-dress wardrobe change, Moore then gave a small cabaret introduction before going back full tilt into the set. Like a wild fire on the loose, and with oddly placed roaming spraycans as the backdrop, they then put “Give a little” to the test, and the crowd loved every moment. Belatedly, Moore mentioned that the final track was coming up, and some seemed dismayed when they finished up - howver the dismay was only momentary as they returned for their encore, another three tracks of pure craziness, hat stealing and stage antics that when it finally wound down, left everyone clammoring to continue their night of dancing wherever they could.
Tags: billboard, crazy p, crazy penis