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| Photo by CJ Foeckler |
Covered in sweat, with a tight two-hand grip on the microphone, Dan Boeckner of Handsome Furs jumps into the engaged yet small crowd at the Rave’s side bar, singing up toward his wife Alexei Perry, who is working the drum machine on stage and dancing maniacally.
Belting “What About Us,” the track off newly released Sound Kapital that accompanies the nonsensically controversial music video, Boeckner is putting every ounce of energy into this side project turned main project. And the result is infectious.
How they get on stage night after night, city after city, with that kind of energy, however, is frankly puzzling.
How do you do it, Dan?
“I love her.”
Well put.
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| Photo by CJ Foeckler |
The husband and wife duo travel lightly with a mix of guitars, keyboards and drum machines, and they’ve made their way across the globe, taking on cities and nations where they’re far from known with their brand of raw electro-rock. And every crowd regardless of size is greeted with huge Canadian smiles and thank yous. Gracious is an understatement.
Despite the small Milwaukee crowd Thursday night, Dan and Alexei drove home an intense one-hour set, looking on the bright side: “There are twice as many people here as last time,” Dan said, repeating the exclamation later in the evening.
Taking advantage of the size, Dan and Alexei chatted about their travels and road sightseeing with attendees. Conversations encompassed butter sculptures, butter sculpture documentaries, their “socialist airline” Air Canada and that giant rat off the side of the road between Minneapolis and Milwaukee.
Post-show, however, Dan divulged that they’ve been playing to larger crowds elsewhere. But no complaints. Boeckner, who is better known as one part of the rather successful (unfortunately on indefinite hiatus) indie rockers Wolf Parade, is shockingly humble, setting up equipment, chatting with crowd members throughout the show and signing autographs after. His vibrant wife acts as the perfect complement, jumping on stage barefoot in a navy romper, flailing limbs and screaming into the mic. Their on-stage personas are spastic and crazed and pleasantly bizarre, a shtick they’ve mastered over three albums and extensive touring.
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| Photo by CJ Foeckler |
But Thursday’s show had a notable shift – less guitar, more keyboards. Many of the duo’s latest tracks off Sound Kapital, including “Repatriated,” a definite highlight from the show, feature Dan sans guitar.
Closing with “Serve the People,” also off Sound Kapital, Dan and Alexei exited the stage, returning for a quick encore (just for kicks) of “No Feelings,” and encouraging guests to tip their bartender.
“I like all of you,” Dan said.
The feeling’s mutual.
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Photos courtesy CJ Foeckler (cjfoeckler.com)
