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The Unicorns / Beans

live in Kansas City (2004)
Tours

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Ian
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Published on April 9th 2004


"Some guy said he was just on the phone with them forty-five minutes ago," says James "and he says they just left Topeka and they should be here pretty soon." In case you don't know, on a map, Topeka is about an inch away from Kansas City. This delays the entire show about 45 minutes before the horrible opening band goes and plays their weak set and leaves. Nothing really important really happened. Beans was a mystery, however, seeing as I'd searched and searched but hadn't found doodely squat on this band anywhere and didn't know what to expect...until a lone black man takes the stage and proceeds to break into hip-hop without any beats (for the first song at least) whatsoever. Then, he proceeds to turn on his cd player (containing a cd with his beats) and totally bring down the house. If you haven't heard Beans, you really really MUST check his stuff out. He's on Warp Records if I'm not mistaken, go to their site, get info. Beans is just a great performer, he moves his body with his music and his words. A complete breath of fresh air and surprise. The crowd loved him.

Following our much beloved Beans, the Unicorns proceed to set up and get ready to put on one hell of a show. Instantly, they burst into "The Clap" and the guitar player knocks over one of the mic stands which falls and hits a kid in the head. So much energy up there on that stage, from the curly haired guitarist at least. The whole time he was so into it, at one point he fell down, or something to that nature, and played one of the songs from the floor and such. What else was great was how there were CONSTANT instrument change ups save the drummer in the back. One plays guitar on one song, one keyboard. One bass, one guitar. Two guitars. They switch and the other plays keyboards while the other plays bass. It's fantastic compared to the bands that go up there and play a completely stationary set like we're so used to seeing. The entire set is right on and has most of your favorites from "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?". As for the setlist, trying to keep them in order takes away from the experience of the show but I KNOW that they played: The Clap, Jellybones, Tuff Ghost, Innoculate Innoculous, and more that I can't name.

What really put this show over the top in my book was the bands open invitation for the crowd to join them onstage for the last two songs. This is a good sized crowd, much more than I was expecting to see, and a good chunk of these people begin crawling up onto the stage including myself and my entorage. This is what it's all about, having the most fun you've ever had at a show, right up there with the band, up close and personal, surrounded by music. The last song is what we're all waiting for, "I Was Born (a Unicorn)". The stage is packed with kids, all half singing along, dancing, taking the mic, what have you. Once the set closes everyone gets in for a group hug and then starts to go home.

This show was just plain fun. Good music, good crowd, and a great ending. They just added dates to their tour as well if I'm not mistaken so if they're coming to your town, I highly encourage you to check it out.

Here are some photos taken between my friend and myself:
The Clap
Tuff Ghost
We're The Unicorns, We're More than Horses
We're the Unicorns and WE'RE PEOPLE TOO!




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    gregh (September 28, 2004)

    Eek dis is crap

    Anonymous (April 12, 2004)

    damn, those are some crazy pink pants

    Anonymous (April 12, 2004)

    that last post, in so many ways, doesn't make sense.

    Anonymous (April 11, 2004)

    the singer of this band threw up for 2 hours in my kitchen sink after their show in iowa city last year.

    and i think they suck.

    GreenVandal (April 11, 2004)

    you said the opening band sucked, so this show isnt perfect. You lose buddy.

    Anonymous (April 11, 2004)

    I went to that show. It was really really fun. I hope they come back.

    Anonymous (April 10, 2004)

    I feel like I should say something because I live in KC, but am kinda at a loss.

    -BSD

    Anonymous (April 10, 2004)

    im going to try to see their early show on monday in nyc, their cd fucking owns.

    Anonymous (April 10, 2004)

    Am I the only one who thinks its unacceptable to use a CD player in such a manner? I mean, theres not much room for anything exciting or interesting happening. Its just kind of like karaoke accept only he knows the words.

    But I don't know, I haven't heard this guy, maybe he busts some mean raps.

    yellowtrash (April 9, 2004)

    "Beans is the coolest man on Earth!"

    I agree. I love how he used a CD player for beats. I think a lot of the songs I saw him rap with in Omaha was from the Anti-Pop Consortium Vs. Matthew Shipp CD.

    Anonymous (April 9, 2004)

    Beans is the coolest man on Earth!

    tyroneshoelaces (April 9, 2004)

    Wow! look at that guy pull off the pink pants. That guy must get mad bitches!!

    greg6711 (April 9, 2004)

    Is their new cd worth getting?

    I've only heard "I was born a unicorn"

    and I think it's somewhat comparable to the Shins, at least in cover art, haha.

    But, i've heard some mixed stuff about them too, like someone said below, their live shows.

    but I still wish I had seen them in Chicago.

    sloppyblake (April 9, 2004)

    i was here. unicorns ruled.

    Anonymous (April 9, 2004)

    I was at that show, it was my 16th birthday. Amazing time!

    Anonymous (April 9, 2004)

    i listen to theunicorns a lot. I love the album. but i fucking hated them live. They were horrible.

    Anonymous (April 9, 2004)

    the unicorns are so great. i sadly didn't get to see their show here though. hopefully next time.

    -greyicewater

    Anonymous (April 9, 2004)

    Fuck yeah, I've been listening to so much Unicorns lately, but never expected to see them on Punk News...

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