by Peter Thomas Ricci<\/p>\n
First, there is the name \u2013 Chicano Batman, a fierce ode to the bands that vocalist\u00a0Bardo Martinez and his band mates grew up listening to in East Los Angeles; next, there is the sound \u2013 a deeply original blend of The J.B.\u2019s, The Meters, and the \u201coldies\u201d sounds of legendary West Coast DJ Art Laboe; and finally, there is the band\u2019s politics, an apologetic embrace of freedom and liberation that has vaulted the band to premiere status in the Donald J. Trump era.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All those elements were on display April 7 at Lincoln Hall, where Chicano Batman delivered a wild, inspired show that verified all the hype the group has received since the release of their third album, \u201cFreedom is Free.\u201d<\/p>\n But before the group took the stage, they were preceded by two sterling opening acts, both of which featured sounds that fit perfectly in the Chicano Batman universe. Starting things out was SadGirl, an LA-based rock trio that describes itself as \u201ca twisted marriage between Roy Orbison and The Cramps,\u201d as a \u201clo-fi, surf-wop\u201d group. Led by the stampeding guitar work of Misha Lindes, the trio blazed through a number of tracks that merged surf guitar licks with a more modern, idiosyncratic sound. Up next was 79.5, an NYC soul group that harkens back to the honey-sweet R&B sounds of the \u201970s. With outstanding three-vocal harmonies from Kate Mattison, Piya Malik, and Nya Parker Brown (and terrific instrumental chops from Matty McDermott on guitar and Izaak Mills on sax\/flute), the group\u2019s subtle grooves captivated the Lincoln Hall audience, particularly on the standout track \u201cTerrorize My Heart.\u201d<\/p>\n I was curious, heading into Chicano Batman\u2019s set, about how the group\u2019s unique sound would translate to the stage. After all, \u201cFreedom is Free\u201d incorporates so many elements \u2013 Brazilian Tropic\u00e1lia, Peruvian psych-rock, oldies love ballads, American soul and funk \u2013 I wondered if some of that nuance would have to be sacrificed for the sake of a live sound, much like how Joy Division\u2019s raw live energy laid waste to the band\u2019s subtle studio work. But as the group tore through one song after another \u2013 the title track, \u201cPassed You By,\u201d the phenomenal \u201cAngel Child\u201d and \u201cJealousy\u201d \u2013 it became clear that all my curiosities were unfounded. Backed by 79.5\u2019s singers, Chicano Batman\u2019s stage energy perfectly accentuated their songs, adding more grit and bite without sacrificing their melodic strengths and messaging.<\/p>\n And then there is frontman Bardo Martinez, the group\u2019s lead vocalist, keyboardist\/organist, and occasional guitarist\/bassist. Wily, unpredictable, and fun as hell to watch, Martinez had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand, whether he was jumping into the first row of fans, gesticulating fancily, or, my personal favorite, using his right foot to activate various effects on his keyboard. Furthermore, Martinez (and later in the show, bassist Eduardo Arenas) channelled the group\u2019s profound democratic spirit on stage. Much has been made of the unabashed politics on \u201cFreedom is Free,\u201d but Chicano Batman\u2019s live show was no political rally; rather, it was a musical embrace of what makes this country\u2019s culture so special, and how, within Lincoln Hall\u2019s walls, people were united behind one cause \u2013 freedom, whether it be freedom to dance, sing, or clap. \u201cAnd while I\u2019m here on earth \/ I\u2019ll rejoice in its worth \/ cuz freedom is free \/ and you can\u2019t take that away from me,\u201d Martinez sings. That\u2019s a message everyone was behind.<\/p>\n