Pretty Reckless stir up Winnipeg fans
by tarryrob on 2012-03-31West End Cultural Centre - WinnipegRating: 4 out of 5The Pretty Reckless, fronted by “Gossip Girl” Taylor Momsen, made their Winnipeg debut at the West End Cultural Centre last night (3/26/12).
My teenager daughter is a huge fan of the popular TV show, so I gifted her VIP tickets to meet and greet with the band’s celebrity actress/model turned rock singer.
The meet and greet was held prior to the show, and, though it felt a bit perfunctory it was well organized; pics with the band were take taken, posters autographed, making my daughter happy as a clam.
Shedding her street attire for torn, knee high black lace stockings, black leather jacket and a white t-shirt, which doubled as a mini dress with the face of Blondie singer Deborah Harry emblazoned on the front, Momsen and company took the stage, kicking the night off with the title track from their 2012 E.P. “Hit Me Like A Man.”
Using few stage trappings other than the NewYork alt rockers’ backdrop, enscribed with the band’s logo, the spotlight focused on Momsen – and rightfully so.
The stripped down stage suited their raw raunchy sound, highlighted by Momsen’s sultry vocals and burlesque meets neo-punk style stage moves.
The primarily tween to early 20-something fans were on their feet from the opening number, and knew all the words to all the songs, which made the ex-“Gossip Girl’s” job much easier.
Overcoming a few minor sound problems early on, Momsen prowled the front of the stage, using her long blond hair like a stage prop a la early Alanis Morisette, enciting fans as the band plunged into “Since You’ve Been Gone” from their 2010 debut album Light Me Up, followed by “Zombie” from the band’s self-titled 2010 EP.
The band, consisting of Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums), were solid enough musicians, but clearly the show belonged to Momsen.
Demonstrating veteran fronting abilities that belied her youthful age (18-years old), and experience, Momson handled fan exuberance, which included plenty of F-bombs, and crys of “We’re gay for you Taylor Momsen!” – in stride.
Though the 12-song set was a bit brief at just under 1 ½ hr, the band had the crowd eating out of their hands by mid-set, having already performed their hit singles “Miss Nothing” and “Just Tonight.”
After churning out a System of Down cover (Aerials), Pretty Reckless moved into the home stretch, with 4 tracks from Light Me Up, the 4-chord jangler “My Medicine,” their debut single “Make Me Wanna Die,” and “Factory Girl,” before encoring with the acoustic ballad “Nothing Left to Lose,” which had fans singing at the top of their lungs with cell phones waving in the air en masse.
Red Bank, NJ quintet Parlor Mob and Nashville, TN pop rockers The Hollywood Kills were both surprisingly good in the warm up slot, and did a killer job of engaging the crowd and setting the mood for the night.