I'm a freak, so I like surprises. I order randomly at Chinese restaurants and I always try to see an opening band. This haphazard approach has led to my discovery of crab rangoon and the rock n' roll orgy of The Statues of Liberty. Shit, it worked for Columbus, too.

The Statues of Liberty caught the BnR staff with our proverbial pants completely down at Arelene's Grocery in NYC last weekend. Naked and prone, we were pummeled with a fistful of instantly memorable classics like "Chocolate Cake," "Run Motherfucker," "Sex and Cigarettes," and their magnum opus, "Jiggle Bum." And a song really sticks with you when it's prefaced with "this is a song about butt sex...or desert." Their smorgasboard of punk, pop and meaty metal perfectly complemented the deranged expressions of Johnny Law(guitar, vocals) and the bizarre ying/yang contrast of Prince Hal and Hitomi. The former being a hulking blond/pink-haired bassist and the latter a diminutive Asian female drummer.

Unlike most bands, you don't need to know the songs to enjoy the show. You will be instantly converted and then curse the deity of your choice when the show is over. "Please, God, I'll never pull my pork again if you let The Statues of Liberty play all night!" At least that's what I heard Bob screaming during "Raise the Roof Beams." Their show reminded me of Hendrix in the way that the songs, showmanship and musical performance really smacked you in the face the first time. It takes a real set of cajones to follow this act as they are one of the few bands that sound better live than in the studio. The Statues sounded crisp, fierce and fucking hilarious.

Visit their myspace immediately and find out the date of their next show. I don't care if you have to hitch-hike from Bangor, Maine.   

http://www.myspace.com/statuesofliberty