Trashkanistan @the Sidebar Bmore May 5th 2012 Saturday Night

So now we travel to the land of Trashkanistan, where distant relatives of Oscar the Grouch live, and where you can possibly garner yourself a decent meal or discover useful utilitarian items and art project fodder from others' castoffs, toss-aways, and discards.

This is my last post from the May 5th Sidebar show where Ninety Six Ghosts, Pipe Smoking Rabbits, and Trashkanistan played.  All bands were new to me, all bands were punk, rock, and fun.  Super evident fun was had during Trashkanistan's pop/punk set, where it was clear many friends had come out to support their fellow band.  

Now, I'm no entertainer, but I imagine I'd have a much different stage presence than I have in person.  I bet I'd be moody, wild and crazy-eyed, emo, and possibly violent on stage.  So, like a cross between Morrissey, Karen O, and some generic hardcore singer.  I guess that's why they call it a persona, a character, someone who's not necessarily 'you', but rather, you as an artist/singer/entertainer/whatever-the-heck.

That's why I have to give super props and utmost respect to the informal and seemingly unrespectably named Trashkanistan.  They appear to be completely at ease with themselves, at being able to laugh at themselves, to laugh with their fans, and to take their teasing abuse.  Frankly, I wouldn't like it if my friends threw bottles at me, even if they were empty plastic water bottles.  Fuck you.  But not Trashkanistan.  They are like: Fuck you, friend. <3

I mean, take a look at these pictures.  Someone is smiling in almost every other one.  And not lil' grins; like big ol' 'I'm having fun, mom!' smiles.  It made me smile!  

Oh, and another props to drummers for this show:  early in their set the drummer of Trashkanistan lost a screw or something to his kit and while his band mates distracted the crowd with some chit-chat, he very quickly fashioned a workable substitute with a fastener from another part of his kit.  He didn't even get up or anything.  Professional.  These guys are going far.  (They are playing the Insubordination Fest @the Ottobar in June.  Should be fun.)

Ok, it's almost 11pm and this oldie is gettin' tarred.  I'm going antiquing tomorrow, which means an early start!  So I'm off, but I've got pictures from the Night Birds/The Queers/Screeching Weasel show from Sonar last night.  Will post soon, promise!  See ya!