Electric Engine, Luna Lounge, NYC, 7/20/02 - Fans of the now-dissolved Moths were pleased to find that many of the elements of the former band have carried through to its latest - playing either as Engine or Electric Engine. With two Moths alums - Tim on guitar and Tom on bass sharing vocal duties - Engine displays the somber brightness of indie rock guitar sounds and the clever whimsy and off-kilter world view of its lyrical themes. Perhaps a bit less caustic than the Moths, the instruments of Engine produce a pleasant wail, key changes, and a chiming sound. Engine drew a nice crowd despite competing with the Shins and CamperVan Beethoven’s reunion the same night. And lest rumors of an unamicable Moths break-up surface, the crowd included most of the other Moths alums.

Electroclash 2002, EMP, Seattle, 10/23/02 - If you’ve been out of the loop, you may not realize Brooklyn and a genre of 80s inspired new wave music has gotten to be a pretty big deal. If Electroclash is a big top tent, Larry Tee is the guy with the tall hat - as he started up a series of parties, a record label, and the Electroclash 2002 tour to enhance brand recognition for the movement. Some of these bands, such as Tracy and the Plastics, were a bit tedious; Tracy uses loops to literally rap with herself - I’m sure this has post-modernist implications but is less than enthralling to watch. Headliner Peaches pulled off a punchy set of ribald rap, while Chicks on Speed coupled punk lyrics, industrial beats, and dissonant new-wave sounds - borrowing from many places without being merely imitative. After Peaches, you’re mostly likely to hear about Whatever It Takes (WIT). Musically, they sound late disco, pre-new wave, like Berlin with heavy synths but crowds will tend to remember the breathless voices from the three female singers in Olivia Newton-John haircuts and tight gold lame disco gowns. The crowd at Electroclash was unique in that these folks have always been the ‘others’ and have probably never been in a crowd of other folks like themselves. Think of the outsider, gay confidante to the pretty female leads in teen angst flicks, then fill a concert hall with clones.