After making the drive from Detroit to Milwaukee on a lousy
cold and icy night, and after many technical difficulties, The Mexican Knives tore
apart the stage at Quarters. Exploding
out of the gates with a couple of short and sweet 60’s garage rock stompers, front
woman Ruth Synowiec and band mates slowed it down with a bluesy R&B swayer.
Ms. Synowiec delivered the smoky, boozy
vocals perfectly; reminiscent of home town neighbors The Detroit Cobras. On record Ms. Synowiec sounds like a cross
between Janis Joplin and Shirley Manson.
Live is a completely different, sounding like The Shangri-las hanging
out with the Gun Club, which sounds like trouble. “Killer Snake” brought it all to an end, a perfect
two minute sleazy, and surf stomper showcasing the big 60’s garage rock guitar
sound. One more song to close and it was
over, packing plenty of songs into 30 minutes.
I would like to see their record collection because they are too young
to be playing this kind of music. Or
maybe I’m too old.
