TFA REVIEW

Menthol
Triple Fast Action
Metro-Chicago, Illinois
January 31, 1998

by Jeff Keele

As winter seemed to leave us for a day, "The Winter Dance Party"
strutted into Chicago. Sharing the same name as the ill-fated Buddy
Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens tour of the 50's-Menthol, The
Smoking Popes and Triple Fast Action are currently touring the US
through early March. Sadly, The Smoking Popes were unable to play the
show here in their hometown, but Menthol and Triple Fast Action still
drew over 1,000 people to the Metro. A Menthol/Triple Fast Action show
always gathers a crowd of their friends and loyal fans. This night was
no exception as members of Veruca Salt, Fig Dish, The Beer Nuts, Mud,
Ultra Swiss, Glow and Muchacha all passed through the doors of the
Metro's backstage area. After a very entertaining opening set by the
buzz-stirring Extra Very, a band that reminded me of  Material Issue or
a Midwestern Oasis,  it was time to give the people what they wanted. 

Accompanied by their ever-growing tacky lamp and lawn lighting show,
Triple Fast Action quietly plugged in and ripped into "Don't Tell" from
their debut album "Broadcaster" (Capitol). They breezed nonstop through
that followed by "Revved Up" and "Heroes". "Heroes"-named for what seems
to be an underlying theme on their new album "Cattlemen Don't" (Deep
Elm)-was made even better by the controlled feedback of Scott Lucas (
Local H). Vocalist Wes Kidd led the band through the complex stop and
starts of "If", also from their new album. "If" really showcases Wes's
songwriting capabilities as well as the sheer power of the band's rhythm
section of Kevin Tihista and Brian St. Claire. St. Claire, donning his
now standard star-covered outfit, smacked the snare with abandon to open
up "Pure". Tonight was a special treat for Triple Fast Action fans as
Lisa Klipsic (Glow) sang backup on the Nirvana-like "Duck and Run", just
as she did on their album. In the style that both Triple Fast Action and
Fig Dish have adopted, it was time to throw in a cover tune. The choice
is always interesting and always very well done. My personal favorites
have been their renditions of the Cheers theme and a Sparklehorse hit
whose name escapes me. Tonight it was "Don't Change" from INXS. The band
always wins over fans who don't know them, and the cover tune always
helps to keep their interest from Toledo to Iowa City. After ripping
through "Bird Again" complete with Wes's feedback drenched Gibson Les
Paul Jr. (with it's Wes Paul Jr. sticker on the headstock), the band
played the slow one "Eurogirl". This is another Euro-inspired song from
their latest release that really highlights Wes's songwriting skills.
The band closed out with their traditional 10-minute version of
"Superstar" as the crowd got a show they won't soon forget.

Next up was Capitol recording artists Menthol. Chicago via Champaign
rock heroes Menthol provide what could only be called "thinking-man's rock."
With songs as diverse as "Francis Scott Key" or "The Professor", the
band provides very intelligent and intricate lyrics with an overpowering
mix of the standard guitar, bass and drum sound. Having toured the
country extensively (including a long stint with The Presidents of The
United States of America) in support of their self-titled debut, Menthol
finally found time to set about making a new record. The as yet untitled
release, scheduled for release in May of '98, was recorded in Chicago,
New Orleans, Los Angeles and Champaign. Tonight was Menthol's first
opportunity to really unleash the new material on their fans. Clearly
they have been practicing the material a lot, as they were even tighter
than usual. After yours truly was allowed to introduce them to the crowd
(with the standard KISS intro), Menthol opened their set with the new
Danger!Rock!Science!" featuring it's anthemic drum line a la "Radio
Clash". Next up was "USA Capable"-a crowd favorite from their debut
album. The song features the guitar skills of leader Balthazar de Ley
(Balty) as he frantically scratches away on his beautiful smoke gray Les
Paul. Playing his trusty Fender P-Bass was Joel Spencer, a very good
bassist who also shares vocal duties with Balty. The freshest news out
of the Menthol camp is the improved drumming of Colin Koteles. Always a
good drummer with fantastic timing, Colin now really smacks the skins
with a reckless power that only years of touring, potassium pills and
water can provide. It was his work with Joel that really pushed the new
one "The New Recruits" over the top. Menthol played a total of 9 new
songs, none of which the crowd could have known, yet Menthol was able to
captivate the audience with it's load of new material-a feat that not
all bands can pull off. Of those new songs, I personally favored
"Danger!Rock!Science!", "The New Recruits", "Strange Living" and the
soon to be monster hit of "The Professor". Aside from "Stress is Best",
I think "The Professor" is Menthol's greatest song. After kicking the
crowds butt with the new "John Hughes 2000", the classic "Stress is
Best" closed out the set. The crowd was moving faster than James Brown
in traffic as they rocked out on this teenage lust fest song. After the
crowd chanted for an encore, the guitars were retuned and it was time
for "Codes and Ciphers" and the fun "Dry Heaves (Of the Well-Adorned)"
which featured Louise Post (Veruca Salt), Mike Lopez (Mud) and a rather
wasted Herb Rosen (Beer Nuts) all chiming in on backup vocals. All in
all it was a fun show, one that will be even more fun when The Smoking
Popes climb back on board. Catch this great alternative lineup at a club
near you soon. Additionally, if I could recommend two albums that are
probably not in your collection yet, go out and buy "Cattlemen Don't"
from Triple Fast Action and "Menthol" by "Menthol". A mere $20
investment will turn your collection into the envy of your friends.
Reading the lyrics on the Menthol liner could keep you occupied enough
to make that train ride to work breeze by like the wind. Until next
time.

Special thanks to all of the following individuals for a very special
evening: Maria Malta (Capitol), John Szuch (Deep Elm), Louise Post, Wes
Kidd, Balthazar de Ley, Colin Koteles, Mike Lopez and Smakie.