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“Let us open our hymnals,” offered Chuck Prophet before launching into “Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins,” the title track to his acclaimed 2017 album, Thursday night at Shank Hall.
Prophet and his band, The Mission Express, then proceeded to preside over a very appreciative congregation for nearly two hours. It was an early boast by the ever smiling and moving San Francisco musician, attesting to how crowds across the country have been going “fucking nuts” to Mission Express shows over the past year.
If you recall The Jesus & Mary Chain performing entire shows in the ’80s with their backs turned to the audience as the feedback flowed, then think of Prophet existing at the very opposite end of that approach. He is always engaging, delivering between-song and in-song banter, telling stories, pointing to people in the crowd, encouraging sing-alongs and always, always using his eyes and smile to provoke audience members to take their place in his songs for a few minutes. If you adhere to a shut-up-and-play-philosophy, pursue your kicks elsewhere. Prophet used a second microphone that distorted his vocals, adding to the frenzy of songs like “Run Primo Run” and “You Did (Bomp Shooby Dooby Bomp)” mainly with wild shouts and woos but occasional actual singing.
Keyboardist Stephanie Finch, also Prophet’s wife, delighted with her contributions, highlighted by dual cow bell shaking and keyboard soloing on “Jesus Was a Social Drinker.” Finch also provided a fine tribute to the recently passed Aretha Franklin with a passionate “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” for the sole encore song.
Other standouts included the band’s swings through the soulful “You and Me Baby (Holding On”), “Bad Year for Rock and Roll,” which namechecks Peter Sellers and the Thin White Duke, and “Willie Mays Is Up at Bat.”
Opener Jeremy & the Harlequins, all clad in red shirts, made a striking impression during their debut performance in Milwaukee. The New York City band left the stage to a standing ovation after their brief, energetic set, highlighted by the sweet-yet-raw vocals of frontman Jeremy Fury. Their classic rock-n-roll approach certainly does not break any new ground, but songs like “Starlight,” off their new Yep Roc album Remember Me enjoyably take you to places you don’t mind revisiting. The hip-shaking “Trip Into the Light,” delivered with passion and swagger, was another highlight.
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