Just when you thought the primal energy of rock ‘n’ roll had been drained from its wrinkled husk, along come Cage The Elephant to re-affirm your faith in three chords and an attitude problem.
On record, Cage The Elephant make an impressive Stones-influenced racket, with recent single ‘In One Ear’ a superb blast of snarling rock ‘n’ roll. Live, however, the group’s music takes on a whole new deranged yet inspiration façade.
A drummer intent on destroying his kit in as quick a time as possible. A bassist with addictive nonchalance. Twin guitar players who verge on the beserk. A singer whose onstage routine makes kids with ADD look as if they aren’t trying hard enough. Cage The Elephant walk onstage like a gang of rock ‘n’ roll commandos storming the citadel of the bland.
Cage The Elephant line up, arms poised with the audience holding their collective breath. Plunging straight into ‘James Brown’ what follows is nearly an hour of no holds barred rock ‘n’ roll. The crowd erupt, arms aloft cheering the band’s every move. Frontman Matt Shultz stalks the stage, urging the crowd on as desperate security men try to regain control.
With sweat dripping down the walls and rock ‘n’ roll oozing from the speakers, the band seem in their element. Recent single ‘Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked’ sets temperatures racing, shattering the thermometer in the process. An unruly racket, its slide guitar riff sounds truly evil. Didn’t anyone tell them Halloween was a week ago? Whatever, the band aren’t listening and neither are the audience, lost in Cage The Elephant’s evil charm.
The band play album track ‘Drones In The Valley’ its elastic bass snapping in the venue’s face. Cage The Elephant snort Jack Daniels and belch out the fetid stench of rock ‘n’ roll. Singer Matt Shultz is held aloft on the shoulders of the audience, screaming the lyrics like a kid who’s just been told he’s not getting any pudding. Then they disappear in a fog of feedback, charging through the arms of their devoted fans.
Cage The Elephant? Unleash the beast!
