STARCRAWLER Creeps and Crawls and Brings Their Untamed Show to the Reverb

Omaha, Nebraska | Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Frontwoman Arrow de Wilde and bassist Tim Franco of Starcrawler performs at the Reverb Lounge in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer.

BY DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine 

Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make.” -Dracula-

Reverb Lounge. Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer

I’ve been in Omaha since 1987 and this was the first time that I stepped into the Reverb Lounge. I heard it was an intimate venue, but let’s be real. It’s small. It’s damn small.  With that said however, the sound and lighting are surprisingly pretty darn good. I was bumped up against the stage which only came up to my knees, so it was kinda difficult to get the shots I wanted. I think next time I go the Reverb; I’m going to set up a ladder in the back in the room and just shoot over the crowd. Wonder if they’d let me?  On to the show..

Just two bands this evening. First up was Poppy Jean Crawford. What an odd name for a band huh? But it’s not the band name, it’s the name of the daughter of Jane’s Addiction Perry Farrell one-time girl-friend Casey Niccoli (who by the way directed the famous “Been Caught Stealing” video). Poppy Jean struts on stage with her Rickenbacker wearing red boots, short black leather skirt and a camisole. (to be honest, I had to ask my wife what that was). She was supported by 2 other members one Rayla on bass (who by the way wins the award for best smile) and Steve on drums.  This trio performed an 8-song set that included the mesmerizing “Same Old Tricks”. O.K. is Poppy Jean the greatest guitarist on the planet? Of course not, but her ability to hear sounds in her mind then translate them so we can also hear them is astonishing. We can call her music shoegaze, but it’s beyond that. It’s sort of a sinister noise that you cannot help absorb. Much like a deer caught in the headlights, except it’s our ears that are frozen. This is an artist you will want to keep in touch with, there will amazing things to come.

Poppy Jean Crawford’s Set List – Tuesday, October 15, 2019:
Same Ole Trix – Better For Me – Felix – Not Today – Wheel – Dadgod – Super Kiss – Jonesies

So, I’m sitting at work one day (I’m a truck dispatcher) and one of my drivers comes in and we sometimes like to chat about music. He says to me, “have you heard of a band called Starcrawler?” “Why no, I haven’t” I replied. “Well you need to” he says, and he mentions they are coming to Omaha and that I should go see them.  “I’ll do better than that” I said.  I’ll get with my editor and see if I can do a shoot-n-review of the show. And so I did. And now you’re reading it. Wanna talk about bands that are….different?  Starcrawler must be in that conversation.  The band comes on stage one at time. First up Austin Smith (drums), 2nd on stage is Tim Franco (bass), next to appear is Henri Cash (guitar) who immediately sets himself up back to the crowd nudged up against his amps. Last to arrive is lead vocalist Arrow de Wilde. Arrow is long-limbed who basically slithers on stage.  Tim and Austin basically did their jobs and kept the beat and bottom where it needed to be while Henri and Arrow did their respective things.  Henri is simply put a rocker. He is constant motion and puts on a show of his own.  Leading this L.A. band is Arrow.  She is mouthy, sweaty, bloody and dirty, not in the I need a shower sense (although I’m sure she does) but in the I will make your jaw drop at the maniacal antics I will perform on stage. I’ll try to keep it clean, but I will say there is a microphone that needs a good sterilization.  According to their Facebook page they are misfit rock and rollers for a new generation. Yeah, that’s putting it mildly. They are today’s Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson combined and Arrow could be the illegitimate daughter of Lou Reed and Courtney Love. This is a don’t give a SxxT band whose sole purpose is for you to leave entertained, but also shocked and confused. This band is about to explode. Festival headliners for sure.  You MUST check out the latest LP Devour You, take a few minutes and check out “Bet My Brains, their first video release from the new album.

Starcrawler ‘s Set List – Tuesday, October 15, 2019:
HOME ALONE – USED TO KNOW – LIZZY – HOLLYWOOD ENDING – TOY TEENAGER – TANK TOP – LET HER BE – ANTS – I LOVE L.A. – PET SEMATARY (RAMONES COVER) – RICH TASTE – NO MORE PENNIES – BORN ASLEEP – DIFFERENT ANGLES – BET MY BRAINS – PUSSY TOWER – YOU DIG YOURS – TRAIN – SHE GETS AROUND – CHICKEN WOMAN

Starcrawler


Poppy Jean Crawford

All images © Dean Birkheimer
=====================================
Follow Go Venue Magazine Online
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram