Only in New York can one attend a soul concert performed by a fat white man, who calls himself Har Mar Superstar, and see a guest appearance by a nostalgia provoking child-star. That’s right, Macauly Caulkin, accompanied Har Mar Superstar for one song last night at the Bowery Ballroom. His appearance just added to a wild, sweaty, over-the-top entertaining show.
Culkin’s showing certainly boosted the already heightened atmosphere but he did not add much to the music and that is where help was really needed. Har Mar’s band consisted of one backup singer, one guitar player, a drummer, and a laptop. That wonderful flavor and soul that is heard on Har Mar’s recordings is consequently lost on the live show. Even the musicians he did have, short of the backup singer, were not up to snuff; calling the guitar player second-rate would be a compliment.
It is reminiscent of an interview Keith Richards gave on the documentary Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll. When asked about the last time he had seen Chuck Berry, Richards said something along the lines of: Chuck’s live shows are crap these days but he doesn’t care and he is charming enough to get away with it.
Har Mar was charming enough to get away with it last night. He had the crowd from the moment he entered the stage wearing what he called a Jewish Jesus costume though it looked like a man wearing an oversized hockey puck on his head and a toga. This was one of three different costumes donned by Har Mar over the course of the evening, the best of which can be seen on the right. However fun and zany a live show he puts on, the man needs to get himself a real touring band, he is too good not to.
Har Mar has the talent and charisma to have a strong cult following but that means making the bulk of his money from touring. In his current state not many people are going to pay to see him twice, not for the music at least.
KISS has shown us all that showmanship can get you pretty far in music but Har Mar can have his cake and eat it too. He is undercutting himself and his potential by not surrounding himself with musicians that match his ability. Here’s to hoping when he returns, January 10 at Union Hall, he brings some musicians.
