Mika Miko
Flamingo Cantina, Friday, March 14“If you’re videotaping this, call it our Unplugged.” A late start time and sound issues forced L.A. all-girl quintet Mika Miko down to five songs, but as part of the cabal of twentysomething punks slouching out of L.A. right now, their two-minutes-or-less ethic made this not such a big deal. Dual singers Jennifer and Jessie Clavin, the latter singing into a red phone receiver, and Jenna Thornhill traded smirks, shouts, and jerky dance moves, dishing largely from 2006’s stellar punk romp C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. (Kill Rock Stars). The 4/4 beat of “Business Cats” and bratty bump of “Jogging Song” channeled everything good about SoCal punk, from Redd Kross to the Germs, and when Thornhill strapped on the saxophone, Mika Miko’s no-wave contortions got seriously bent. Guitarist Michelle Suarez and drummer Kate Hall kept the songs tight and fast, giving shape to their “pony thrash.” Even with the shortened set time, it was hard not to catch their anxious energy, and as young as they are, that’s exciting.
This article appears in March 14 • 2008.