Conference decc::radio_radioes]radio_radio

1120.0. "Rasputina" by DECCXL::OUELLETTE (crunch) Tue Mar 18 1997 18:17

So I went to see the Cranes play early (7PM doors 9:30 curfew) at Axis last
Saturday.  The Cranes were rattled by equipment problems a bit but
entertaining and charming in spite of it.  They talked to the audience a
lot more than when they played the Paradise three (or more) years ago with
Mistle Thrush.

Opening for them was a Cello trio (with drums) called Rasputina.
Way over the top on quirkiness (in a delightful sort of way).
The vintage victorian dresses were beautiful.  The corsets worn
on top of the dresses ... well underwear is supposed to go under.
Everthing was played bowed and used guitar amps and sometimes a
whole pile of pedals.  Their songs had really strange lyrics,
sort of like their between songs patter about rickets, disease
and the operation.  And to top it off they covered "brand new key"
as in "I've got a brand new pair of roller skates, you got a ...".
I don't think any of the 19 year olds standing near me even
recognized it as a cover.  I was pretty well tickled.