It was a subversive Valentine’s Day love-fest for L.A.’s very own Sparks, playing a rare U.S. concert on Saturday at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Why subversive? Well, along with Morrissey and Stephin Merritt’s The Magnetic Fields, Sparks is the band most likely to make you smile with their witty and biting songs about the mysteries of wooing and bedding the opposite sex.
Sparks, the Energizer Bunny of pop acts after 21 albums and 35+ years in the business, consists of brothers Ron and Russell Mael. Ron is the oddball, visionary composer and keyboardist with the John Waters-thin moustache, while Russell is the front man to rival Queen’s Freddie Mercury in energy and falsetto power. They are also on a bit of a roll. Last year, the band played all 21 of their albums on 21 consecutive nights in an historic U.K. tour. Sparks devoted the entire first half of the Saturday show to the band’s new album, Exotic Creatures of the Deep, which continues the form of Sparks’ previous two CDs, Lil’ Beethoven and Hello Young Lovers (rock with a very theatrical edge). More Sparks dish (and clips) after the jump…
Sparks has always been as much a conceptual art projectas a rock band and the band’s new songs translate really well to theconcert stage with the inspired and ironic interplay between the Maelsand the background video projections. Highlights from the new album, performed as a mini-suite, were "Let the MonkeyDrive," an ode to a fellow love-lorn kindred spirit titled "Lighten Up,Morrissey," and the exquisite "Photoshop," with its refrain,"Photoshop me out of your life!"
After the intermission, the band played its landmark 1974 album Kimono My Housein its entirety. As much as I loved hearing classics such as "This TownAin’t Big Enough for the Both of Us" (see clip below), it was the new songs thatultimately impressed more. How many pop acts are still recording andperforming new music that stands comparison with old hits? How manybands that were big in the ’70s can still fill a theater with so many young hipster fans whoweren’t even born when Kimono was released?
Sparks’ encore featured some of its best-loved songs — "When Do IGet to Sing My Way" and the epic disco tune "The No. 1 Song in Heaven"– and got the audience standing on its feet, giving the stuffy RoyceHall the feel of a giant club. You’ve gotta love a band that gets anentire audience to sing along joyfully to the final chorus on thebrilliant, satirical "Suburban Homeboy": "Props to my peeps and pleasekeep your receipts!" Hey, Wes Anderson!Please jettison Mark Mothersbaugh and hire the Mael Bros. to score yournext movie. PopWatchers, speak up if you’re one of the few and theproud that love Sparks!
One listen to “When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’” and you will be hooked.
love love LOVE Sparks! how was the turn out?
i had to laugh about your “bedding the opposite sex” comment… both morrissey and merritt are gay!LOL
The Mael brothers staying power has everything to do with the most elusive organ in pop music….brains.
I went to London and attended 5 out of their 21 gigs. It was incredible. On stage they are magnificent. And, yes, their work this decade has been some of their strongest yet.
Finally, an Entertainment Weekly write-up about my favorite band!! Thank you!! I had a sixth-row center seat for the Royce Hall concert, and cannot begin to describe how magical this evening was. I’ve been a huge fan since 1976, have every Sparks album and — like most Sparks fans — believe this band is the greatest and most overlooked on the planet. However, I never had the chance to attend a Sparks concert until Saturday. This is the BEST gig I have ever seen, and one of the most euphoric experiences of my life — honestly, I’m not exaggerating! Ron and Russell and their excellent band put on an incredible three-hour show that never faltered — I couldn’t stop smiling and I can’t single out a favorite moment, as everything seemed a high point. The ever-engaging Russell nailed all the high notes and pranced about with boundless energy. He seemed to be having so much fun! Ron was effectively droll and hilarious. Many thanks, guys! I hope you finally get the recognition you so deserve!
Damn it damn it damn it! I live in Los Angeles and I had no idea about this concert!
Yay, Sparks! Admittedly, I’ve got to thank Gilmore Girls for bringing this band to my attention. Love Suburban Homeboy, Angst in My Pants among others… Hello Young Lovers is a fab album.
Um…Morrissey and Stephen Merritt wooing the opposite sex? Really? Surprised you didn’t include the girl-crazy Pet Shop Boys.
Too bad fellow LA-er Jane Wiedlin didn’t join for their big hit “Cool Places.”
yay! its so good to see an article about this amazing band.
I was at the show and it was nothing short of mindblowing. The encore was as long as the albums, including “BC” (and a couple other tracks from Propaganda), “Dick Around” and “Mickey Mouse.” This was the first time I’ve seen Sparks and easily ranks as one of my top five shows of all time (out of hundreds).
I saw the last three shows in London last year, which were outstanding. Hard to believe that the LA performance was even better. I can hardly wait to see them again in London in March!
I flew across the country to attend this show… from Texas to California. What a tremendous occasion and an absolutely phenomenal performance. I had the time of my life at Royce Hall! This Sparks show will be in my memories for years to come. I can only hope to see them again very, very soon.
My favorite will always be ‘I Predict’.