The one question everyone has on their mind when they see Mother Feather is: Why aren’t they headlining? Wednesday night’s show at Brooklyn Bowl was no different. The band’s water-flinging, half-naked energy and ardently delivered cock-rock sound make you crave a second set and leaves whomever has to follow them with a heavy burden.
The band, who has been energizing New York City with their live shows since 2010, is lead by the vivacious and fearlessly engaging Ann Courtney who forces everyone to enjoy themselves. Faithfully beside Courtney is the sleek, keyboard playing, megaphone wielding Elizabeth Corena. These talented vocalists have an incredible harmonic familiarity and always seem to know what the other is about to do. This all while garbed in costumes that defy description–you have to see them.
Also the musicians behind them are perfectly selected. The rhythm section, with Matt Basile on bass and Gunnar Olsen on drums, hold a tight dance-invoking beat while guitar player Chris Foley owns the Bolan-meets-Bowie melodies. Foley is able to skillfully slip in blues-rock fills so often one forgets he doesn’t have a rhythm guitarist behind him. The look of the band as well matches perfectly with the two starlets up front. They are all, for lack of a better word, good enough looking. They aren’t pretty enough or ugly enough to distract attention from the leg-kicking, sex-dripping leading ladies.
Unfortunately the name of the group that followed Mother Feather was as memorable as their music. They knew how to play their instruments pretty well, that’s about the only good thing there is to say about them. Their innocuous, lack-luster sound was in such stark contrast to the furious passion of Mother Feather that at least half the place emptied out within the first few songs. It seemed like just about everyone their was their to see Mother Feather. They doubtlessly would rather have seen another set from them then what followed instead.
Courtney says it perfectly on the bands website, “Mother Feather is the muse”. Their energy pushes even the least artistic mind to creativity and doesn’t give them a choice in the matter.
