Black Lips Make Girls Crazy At Free Show

Black Lips — who are no longer banned from Canada — gave the best performance of Thursday night's NXNE shows at Yonge-Dundas Square. Easily.

Even though MC and Fucked Up vocalist Damian "Pink Eyes" Abraham hinted that police could shut down the evening’s festivities, the infamous Black Lips were — surprisingly — on their best behaviour, and only a few security guards were left p-o'd (incidentally, not the band's fault). For a Black Lips first-timer, I only have one question for the band — where have you been all my life?

Lead guitarist Ian Saint Pe's gorgeous southern accent was enough to work the crowd up into a froth, even before the band had played a single note. When they started playing, it was all-out mayhem — the Atlanta four-piece have a quirky magnetism that literally drew fans to them. I was caught between the fence and a crush of people and was the only dork holding a pen and paper rather than an item of clothing to throw onstage.

While Saint Pe, Cole Alexander, Jared Swilley and Joe Bradley cranked out songs like "Oh Katrina" and "Bad Kids," female fans jumped over the barrier like lemmings and rushed the stage before the disgruntled team of security guards could grab them. Heck, I would have been right up there with them if I wasn't wearing my press badge and seen my editor lurking — er, standing — in the audience earlier that night. (He told me this morning that I should have gone for it. No mothereffin' shit.)

Before long the band were surrounded by dancing, kissing girls in dresses — oddly enough, the guards seemed to have an easier time detaining the guys who attempted to run onstage... Tights were ripped, a shoe was lost, and rhythm guitarist Alexander was air-humped, all to the soundtrack of Alexander's maniacal laughter, Bradley's tantrum-like drumming and the band's signature tinny guitars.

It's only fitting that the "flower punk" band from the ATL would have equally wacky friends. Who better to bring out than Quebec's own King Khan & BBQ Show? The two bands released a split seven-inch single together in 2007 called Christmas In Baghdad/Plump Righteous, and it was easy to see why they get along so well.

Khan picked up the lost shoe and chucked it back to its owner in the audience, then proceeded to air-hump Swilley (again with the air-humping!). It's a good thing Black Lips weren't in India, that's for sure.

Some good-hearted soul in the crowd tossed a pink rose which landed at Khan's feet — Khan bit the bloom off its stem and spewed out the petals, just like how Ozzy bit the head off that poor bat in 1982.

The show ended early, and I can only imagine the kind of madness that could have ensued had the Black Lips played longer. For those with energy to spare, there was still time to catch The King Khan & BBQ Show at the Horseshoe Tavern.

To read about other NXNE performances, click HERE.