There's No Business Like Show Business

Mindless Self Indulgence - The Gaelic Theatre - Feb 26th. For a band to call themselves 'Mindless Self Indulgence' is a nice tip of the hat to the post-punk boom of the late 70's and also a wry nod to the audience. "You want a band to have this... well here it is." Conversely, MSI is not really mindless. Many of their lyrics are quite sharp and pointed (kind of like post-punk cynicism), and as far as Self-Indulgent... well perhaps so. but after all... it is a show they're putting on - and as such most performers are self-indulgent to a degree... However, this show is anything but. The band cares about what the audience thinks and cares about their enjoyment. Having seen MSI at Soundwave 2008, and having them shine as one of the performance highlights, I was certainly looking forward to their 'solo' appearance at The Gaelic. There's 2 reasons really; a) It was their solo set and; b) It was The Gaelic and to be honest it's a fairly intimate venue which really enhances the experience of an act. The line out front was already in full lurching formation as it shambled molasses-like toward the front door. of course this meant that people may/would miss the first support ... er... well seeing as I didn't see them, I missed them and their name has (regrettably) gone to the realm of lost memories. There was the beat-drumming of the band through the walls, but of course that shouldn't be used as a basis for measuring performance. Of course, lining up was interspersed with bouts of torrential rain which caused a lemming-like dash through to The Madison Hotel to partake in some liquid refreshment. Finally, rocking into The Gaelic, I swiped my card and was able to see a rejuvenated Dead Inside The Chrysalis onstage.Now I have seen DITC a number of times supporting various different acts, and 'festivals' but this time (though their look and sound are still very similar to what they have had in the past) they seem to have a bit of rejuvenation happening. not only are they less gaunt, but they seem to be getting more happiness out of what they are playing. perhaps a lifestyle change? or perhaps just finally settling into their genre, as opposed to frantically chasing it (which is the perception I have had in that past). Don't get me wrong, the set was still wonderfully frantic, and full of classic DITC eye-candy, but more together as opposed to each member trying to catch up to/outdo the other. It was nice to see them avoid this behaviour. A 'new-ish' lineup meant that there appeared to be some nervousness, or perhaps it was a little uncertainty how they mesh together witgh a live audience as discerning as MSI fans, but overall it was an very enjoyable set. Nice eye-candy in LeXX TroNIx, but please give her more to do (I take this to still be her settling in period, so it's not a bad criticism). It would have helped, though, if DITC knew how they were ending - to say "One more song." and then have the bassist say "Nope!" was funny... but ended on a les energetic/lower note than I am sure they wanted. Mind you, that also meant that their set actually ran to time. (Of course by the end of the MSI Tour I am sure LeXX will have settled in really well).DITC finished and that's when I grabbed my MSI T-Shirt. I was still wanting the opportunity to grab more merch, as I am a sucker for buying CDs/DVDs when I am seeing band I like (and I already have all the DITC CDs at this stage). MSI CDs/DVDs (even bootlegs?) yes please - and this seems to be a trend right now. A lack of non-wearable merch. Shirts are all fine, but what I really want is a bit of the show to take home. So, bring on the specific Tour shirts along with the CDs and/or DVDs. Still, with T-shirt in tow... I jammed further into the crowd and waited for MSI to hit the stage.Hit the stage is just what they did. I swear, from the band taking their places until the final Ethel Merman number, the band didn't stiop. I really like the fact that Jimmy engages the audience and takes some time out to screw with them (in the good way). I mean, losing the mic because he's stuffed it down his pants (and then getting a couple of the audience to find it), grabbing an audience members handbag and going through it in public, chatting between numbers with obviously awful yet pointed 'Aussie' references. It was good engagement, and something I like to see from a band. not to mention that they performed for the audience, they put on a show - and THAT is what I want to see. I say it a lot but I really don't like a band just standing there playing. I like them to have a good time and put on a show. I was also more than impressed when Lyn-Z did her stage-dive from the stage-left speaker stack, followed by a few minutes of crowd surfing. The one thing that I was interested in seeing was the anmount of audience stage-diving that went on. As long as it doesn't interrupt the band, I have no issue with it, but if it does, I don't like the interruption to the flow of the show.The set included many of MSI's 'well known' numbers ("Stupid Mother Fucker!" is probably one of my faves now) but I have a soft spot for "Kill The Rock" and "Golden I" - I hadn't heard them really before. Some were familiar from Soundwave and at least this time Jimmy didn't haven to contend with the stupidity of the 'animal' element throwing missiles at him.The Ethel Merman "No Business Like Show Business" ending was great. It was a seriously camp moment and just what such a high energy show needed at the end - the band poking fun at themselves and saying that this WAS a show. A show I can most highly recommend. After having seen them twice now I can honestly say that MSI is a showbiz force to be reckoned with and as far as them playing live is conncerned, there really IS no business like Showbusiness.