Girls Against Boys/ Mercury Lounge/ June 12, 2002

Since I last caught Girls Against Boys at a Bowery Ballroom gig a few years back, the NYC-via-DC quartet has become more visceral, assured, and compelling delivering vibrant, Industrial-strengthened post-punk seductions. Trading some of the suave, groove-oriented gloss of ‘98s Freak*on*ica for the sinister conviction and edgy tension of their belated follow-up, the bristling You Can’t Fight What You Can’t See, GVSB burst forward with a muscular sound as thick as this venue’s brick walls.

Allowing the electronic dance rock tendencies of its predecessor and ‘96s equally energetic, club-influenced House of GVSB to get kicked to the curb, the new tracks assaulted the audience like sonic reverberations emanating from a sweat-filled outer space metal lounge. At times, they seemed to be reverting back to the post-hardcore intrigue bedecking ‘93s breakthrough Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby. As usual, guitarist Scott Mc Cloud’s grainy voice had the same raw-throated grit and urgent determination Psychedelic Furs’ Richard Butler relied upon in the early ‘80s. And his sensual swagger, chiseled good looks, and comfortable stage presence quickly brought to mind Roxy Music heartthrob Bryan Ferry.

The rumbling low end of dual bassists’ Johnny Temple and Eli Janney seemed deeper and darker than ever while sure-handed drummer Alexis Fleisig increased the rhythmic propulsion immensely. But it’s the pervasive alluring sexuality, cigarette-stained lungs, and suggestive lyrical ennui of Mc Cloud that provided focus and gave this seasoned outfit a nearly unmatched emotional virility that makes girls cream their jeans and guys want to start a band.