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The Michigan Daily

The Michigan D ailySunday, October i 4 984 Page 5

Page 5

Four bands, two concerts, one theater
AST WEEK, the Ann Arbor concert scene was basked
in one of it'ssmore memorable weekends in years.
Within four nights four of Americas more innovative,
and acclaimed bands performed in two shows under the roof
of the Michigan Theater. While none of the groups are com-
miercial miracles, they've all achieved notable critical
reputations and a solid following of fans without becoming
too compromising to the corporate recording industry.
On Friday the 6th, the L.A. based X brought their peculiar
;band of abrasive, bleak, post-punk "folk" balladry to the
stage, delighting, their black leather and mascara adorned+-
audience - who dress-up and pretend rock and roll still lives.
- Preceeding them onstage were the Replacements, the in-
famous foursome from Minneapolis known for their eclectic
blend of pop and garage band sensibilities. Though welcomed
warmly enough by X's audience, it's difficult to imagine
the band's unique style of absurdist whimsy not shooting
straight over the audience's collective shaved heads.
The following night R.E.M. brought their less pretentious,
anfashion-conscious style of impressionistic rock to the
Michigan.
Through their dreamy, dirgelike material -was con-
siderably more powerful live than on vinyl, it lost none of it's
haunting qualities. Some might complain that the band's ut-
ter-disregard for exhibitionism leads to a less than dynamite
'stage presence, but most found the attitude refreshing, and
'R.E .M. quite absorbing to'experience.
-Opening for R.E.M. was Peter Holsapple and the dB's.
While yet to snare a wide audience, Holsappla and company
is-onebof the freshest, most engaging pop-rock being written
today. And, had they been allowed more time, the band could
have come close to stealing the show.

---Byron L. Bull

Lead singer for X Exene Vanka (top) lets loose with a cackly verbal barrage while
guitarist Billy Zoom stands static to stage left. X's audience (bottom) are off their
skateboards and out later than their parents would probably like.

Michael Stipe (top) withers and cavorts to R.E.M.'s haunting
soundtrack. Exene (bottom) made up and begging the post-
punk question.

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