September 30, 2005
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MSI will entertain fans
at Lovland, Oct. 19

James McEchron
The Advocate

MSI, the New York-based band that has developed a nation-wide following that ranges from angsty teenagers to informed (see: hip) music fans, is coming our way once more. They were here mere months ago at the Aladdin, playing a set that was brilliant, loud, and funny, not to mention more energetic than Robin Williams doing standup after eating no-doze for a week.

The music is a blend of many elements; Pulsing, techno/electronica bass drums, layered with live snares and cymbals, bass and electric guitars, layers and layers of synthesizers, all flying ahead at a breakneck speed, and a leading man (Jimmy Urine, named as such for drinking his own urine) who half raps/half sings amusing nonsense with the vocal tone of a ten year-old sucking helium.

The songs rarely go over three minutes and between songs, Jimmy Urine will spout out some off-the-wall, made-up-on-the-fly comedy that is not only funny, but highly critical of his fans. The last time they were here, someone tossed their band’s demo onto the stage. Jimmy Urine smashed the case and put the disk to his ear. “This is my favorite part!” he said, then proceeded to smash the CD in half before hurling it into the crowd.

The crowd seems to eat up the love/hate relationship Jimmy has established with them. MSI’s latest album single’s-out their high school followers, telling them they are all talk in terms of their suicidal thoughts and that they should put up or shut up. Yet, at the show, you will find high-schoolers in Hot Topic drag chanting along with Jimmy as he tells them to “invest in a bottle of poison, you’d think you could afford a ----ing bottle of aspirin”, and points out how they need a uniform to feel accepted.

If you can look past that annoying third of the fans, you’ll find the band puts on a highly entertaining show, where their energy is surpassed by very few acts. About 99 percent of their songs contain subject matter that could be found offensive (last time here, Jimmy did an accapella rendition of “Bring the Pain,” originally performed by Method Man, and it contained some words that many feel white people should not be saying), but the group’s skill for irony and humor keep the songs amusing instead of simply controversial.

MSI is one of those groups who have never done what people expect them to do with their music (their second album, “You’ll rebel to Anything,” is so aggressive in its attacks of fans that it flies in the face of the bizarre sillyness they birthed on their first national release.) They have never given a second thought to critics, and have become well known simply because of their talent. Of course many will simply not get it, but to anyone who enjoys a loud show that they can jump around to, while not ever having to listen to a love/anti-war song, they should check them out October 9th at the Loveland.

 
Volume 41, Issue 2