The Spirit Merchants were illegitimately conceived one night when Punk rock had a threesome with Country and Folk. Their perverted pal Edgy Comedy was nude in the closet manning the Beta Cam. What was birthed is now the bastard child of the Phoenix music scene. So the legend goes....
"We never really planned on making music, we were just content sitting around huffing glue, playing Pogs, and discussing different ways to spell Hanukah. Then one day it just happened; that was the best aneurysm I have ever had, and I knew We Must Make Tunes", said Dave Harper. Mr. Harper is one of the two that make up this unorthodox comedy accoustic duo.
The group has been beating up the Valley of The Sun for almost two years now and they are not looking back. They seem to have a knack at writing hooks that stick in your head; but you can't sing them in a social setting without raising eyebrows or possibly being arrested. With infectious songs like "Gay Asian Sex Boy" and "I'm In Love with A girl Who Sells Me Drugs", they meld pop with unadulterated raw comedy satire. It is a delightful match made way south of Heaven.
I had to get a taste of their music, or a "jazzy nibble of Rock Jerky" as the boys so eloquently put it. So I was put on the V.I.P. list for the upcoming show, and strangely enough I was the only name on the list. This seemed odd, but I am slowly learning to consider the source.
The show that I attended was their CD release party on October 1st 2005 In Tempe, AZ., and it was concert experience unlike anything I have ever written about. There was a buzz in the air, and also in many of the eager patrons who sat in wait for the show to begin. "Without the crowd it would be a lot quieter when we played and no one would clap. I would cry", said Greg Stefus the other member of this ruckus duo. Once the lights dimmed, and these chaps took the stage the laughter and debauchery did a dance like nude pagans in the fall. Intoxicated girls screamed and men howled a welcoming chant, and I knew I was in for something. The true essence of their performance that night was the intimacy with the crowd. It seemed like I was the only one not singing along with every tune, but I don't know if it was possible to feel out of place. Their was a true sense of dysfunctional communion every where you looked.
The only two that are out of place are The Merchants themselves when it comes to stereotypes. They pride themselves on having no distinguishing moniker as a band. Dave responded by saying, "We were put upon this planet for two things. One is to question the hierarchy of organized thinking as to transcend the social blanketing of the mind, and secondly to eat a lot of fudge". The show was filled with antics from other musicians, so many cheers you couldn't rest your drink, and a gratuitous lap dance performed on a somewhat lucky fan. Spirits were flowing and inhibitions were worn on the sleeves as everyone smiled away the night.
The Spirit Merchants are quite a unique experience live. I am waiting until tomorrow to listen to their CD they graciously gave to me as a parting gift. I do not want to overdose on lascivious love songs. The only complaint I have is they didn't play louder. The concertgoers sing up and above the band at points. I guess the boys from The Spirit Merchants don't mind this much at all. The CD "Insert It Twice" is now on sale at SpiritMechants.net and on CDBaby.com.Joe Reahprevada
A LA Pirate Radio
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