The husband and wife duo of The Bengsons would open the second gig at Mercury. Backed by a full band including a harpist, Shaun and Abigail Bengson were ready to party as were the tiny crowd that gathered on the floor in front of them. The band's music is a hybrid of Dresden Dolls meets Gogol Bordello meets Annie Get Your Gun, it is nothing but shear pleasure to watch, enjoy and indulge in. The Bengsons have been together for a few years and just earlier this year they released their latest, The Proof. While, The Proof is a fun and enjoyable listen the purpose of the record, I feel, is the lure you into seeing them live, because it is on stage where The Bengsons true home is. The band has to rise to every music journalists list as a must see band soon, because it is unlike anything you have ever seen. Its as fast and furious as a punk show but as creative and clever as an Off-Broadway play. Boundaries for The Bengsons do not exist and their shows are a testament to this.
Closing out Mercury Lounge on Sunday night were slick garage rockers The Twees. The Twees have been getting much attention these days after signing to Mike Dirt of The Bravery's label, Merrifield Records. The band of fresh young faces has been playing relentlessly around New York and are starting to see the seeds of their musical limbs develop. Front man Jason Abrishami is a one man wrecking ball, watching him move around on stage and into the shoulders of his band mates is just a thrill to watch, he knows how to work a room and get a crowd going. Guitarist Jon Zuckerman is a young axe player to keep an eye out on, he has big things ahead of him. The bands Strokes meet Stooges sound did not disappoint, as loud and ferocious as they performed on Sunday, it was the exclamation point to close out the night.