Loxsly Whisky Bar, June 29
Is a great idea still great if its execution proves a train wreck? Local fivepiece Loxsly has garnered a reputation for explosive live shows with hypnotic visuals and Cody Ground’s bounce and scream, and while these elements showed up on Thursday night at the Whisky Bar, the $1 wells got the best of the art-pop troupe. Cheap, hand-painted keyboards surrounded the stage for an audience-participation orchestra, a play-by-color party. The translucence of last fall’s Maps and Organs gave way to a Secret Machines throb as the crowd joined in with Ground’s chant “Pink! Black! Purple! Pink!” – the melodic countdown of “San Leon Medley,” each color representing a different note. Unfortunately, the multicolored keys became a rainbow of mess, the drunken crowd seemingly confused by Ground’s instructions. As Justin Douglas’ pedal steel wretched silently, eclipsed by wanky keys, the crowd began to thin. A dreamy, Grandaddy-esque “Stethoscope” brought comments of a silent crowd from Ground. “Monahans Sandhills” showed promise as its synthetic trumpet bounced the remaining fans. It was like that great, lifelong scheme that never quite comes to fruition: Bring Your Own Keyboard. Perhaps with less alcohol and a better bar layout, Loxsly’s dream of audience participation might work. “It sounded like a better idea,” Ground shrugged from the stage. With the last notes of “Papaw,” a psychedelic-pop trip, the band cut their set short with heads hung low. Just remember: All ideas are in the execution.
This article appears in July 7 • 2006.