The Mint Marquee
Last night I went out for my second “school night” this month and it was a blast. Two friends of mine and I went to The Mint (established in 1937) to see an 80’s triple bill of tribute (or what I call “cover”) bands: The Curse (The Cure Tribute Band), Rio (Duran Duran Tribute Band) and L.A.vation (U2 Tribute band).
My Friend’s Cover Band started the night with 80’s hits that made me think of dancing with two of my junior high school friends in a basement to Billy Idol.
The first band to go on was The Curse and if I didn’t know any better, I would have thought Robert Smith was singing. Brian Soto was slightly made up to look like a young Robert but his voice was dead on. Musically, these guys were terrific and I’d definitely see them again. One of my friends with me is a tremendous Cure fan and even she approved.
Second, was Rio. While I didn’t think I’d appreciate the tongue in cheek tribute to the band I adore with the very bad wigs and somewhat cheesy costumes, I thought that they were really fun. Jason “Jake” Jacobs did a pretty good Simon Le Bon impression with a fake English accent, interaction with the audience and even some SLB moves.
My friends and I met Chadwick Steinmetz (“Andy Taylor”) of the band outside the venue (he was very nice) and although he was on the other side of the stage (he and “John Taylor” should be switched to better mirror true Duran Duran staging), he looked a lot like 80’s Andy. Curt Clendenin “Nick” was even taking pictures with his phone like Nick has done on current tours.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed Rio but I’ll admit that it now has me jonesing for a live show!
I honestly can’t say much about L.A.vation because we left early. I love U2 up to and including “The Joshua Tree” but unlike so many of my friends, I can really take or leave U2 (you can start throwing your vegetables now). I was satisfied to get to hear “Pride (In The Name of Love” from Monday’s post (since I knew I wouldn’t hear “One Tree Hill”) and I was ready to go.
I got home a bit earlier than expected and was too wound up to get straight to sleep (although I should have). After the 80’s filled night, I decided to watch “The Carrie Diaries” from my DVR and again, I was surprisingly pleased (although AnnaSophia Robb is doing a dead-on impression of Lindsay Lohan’s “Cady” from Mean Girls and should stop soon if she wants to be Carrie Bradshaw). The 80’s music wasn’t everything I listened to in 1984 but it was certainly fun to see (and hear) it all again. Did you watch TCD? If so, what did you think?
I’ve been meaning to watch the Carrie Diaries. Sounds like you had a great night. Those are some of my favorite bands and I’d imagine the cover bands are pretty awesome. My favorite cover band though is Super Diamond. Ah-mazing.
Love, love, love Super Diamond!! Haven’t seen them in awhile but they are definitely ah-mazing! I missed them the Kat time they were in NY and I was really disappointed.
Even more in common, huh?
Ah, love The Mint. I’ve only been there once or twice but it is a great cozy venue. I prefer it to the Whiskey A-Go-Go and Viper Room.
I am nervous about The Carrie Diaries; I adore AnnaSophia Robb because she was great in Bridge to Terabithia, so it makes me sad to read her channeling Lindsay (I think I am the only person on the planet who can’t stand Mean Girls, too)
Rachael:
The Mint was divine! I hope to see more shows there in the future.
Perhaps I wasn’t clear in my post but I actually do like “Mean Girls” but ASR was definitely channeling her inner Lindsay instead of Carrie Bradshaw in TCD. Show is fluffy but entertaining. Give it a whirl.