ZapTown

[Review Written By Danielle Look]

November 13, 2009
Vollrath Tavern
Indianapolis, IN

Prizzy Prizzy Please’s short 30-minute set kicked off with synth-heavy, spacey music and artsy, high-pitched vocals that hinted at an Of Montreal influence. The vibe was short-lived, however; their signature fast-paced hard rock kicked in shortly after playing began.

The band’s unique element is the absence of an electric guitar, essentially replaced by Ted Wells on the keyboard. Remaining members include Scott McNiece on the drum set, bassist Bob Allen, and sax player Mark Pallman – the latter two also providing a mix of falsetto vocals and punk rock scream-sings. As evidenced by the atypical instrument combination, Prizzy Prizzy Please creates a sound all their own. No other Indiana-based band rocks the way these guys do.

Through multiple techniques (whether intentional or not), Prizzy Prizzy creates an engaging atmosphere for their audience. Nearly every song comes packaged with an introduction that includes the title, as well as its subject matter. Without force, the songs have a natural ability to consume bodies and spit them back out with flailing arms and mile-a-minute fancy footwork.

The band has a strong following, too. Many familiar faces were present from their recent Local’s Only set during the Broad Ripple Music Festival. But here, at The Volrath, the crowd was lighter and the dance floor more accommodating, giving opportunity for piggy back rides, swing-step moshing, and overall chaotic disorder.

With an exhausting six-band lineup and the clock approaching 2 a.m., Prizzy Prizzy Please fans never tired through the duration of the set. They demanded an encore, to which the band answered with one final song.

The invincible, high-energy drive behind their music paired with admirable musicianship and a touch of quirkiness make Prizzy Prizzy Please a band worth seeing by fans of nearly any genre. Bonus points if you dig getting rowdy with your concert neighbors and listening outside your comfort zone. Meeting any of these conditions warrants a trip to the next Prizzy Prizzy show in your town.

[All photos by Rachel Rubenstein]