Modern English does "Mesh and Lace" at the Oakland Metro~ 5/14

    There's always a little apprehension when a band sort of comes back from the dead to tour. But upon learning that Modern English was to perform their early 4AD album "Mesh and Lace" in its' entirety decided to take the "risk". If Modern English doesn't ring a bell just by name recognition alone, their nostalgic vanilla single from '82  "I Melt with You" probably will. The first time I had heard "Mesh and Lace" spinning in the juke I had felt like I  had discovered another dark note, post- punk treasure. "Who IS this!??" I ask the host, eagerly awaiting the answer. "Modern English".....oh WHAT?! Holy Christ, what album is THIS one?! It was tinged with experimentation and journeyed through punk and darkness with an up beat melancholy.

      The plan for this tour was to do Mesh and Lace - in its' entirety front to back. The bill for the night at the Oakland Metro was quite a large one at that, almost festival like in its proportions, featuring four opening acts with 25 minute sets each. There was the Los Angeles based Screaming Bloody Marys with rockabilly sensibilities. The Ink Bats and In letter Form representing the Bay area with guitar driven dark wave weirdness. Finally, the lead opener,  Soft kill from Oregon, bringing more of that sound but lacking "oomph".  You can have an amazing and hefty bill but to catch all those acts and to still have the same energy and enthusiasm for the main event when they hit the stage at 11:20pm is hard to pull off. You have to sacrifice something- whether its skipping a few opening acts or dreaming of your bed mid set.

      The venue was almost full and Modern English came out silently and softly opening their set with the even tempo melody "16 days" the first song off the album. Then there they were, the twitchy, kinky guitar riffs opening the emotionally charged "Swans on Glass".  The audiences energy was starting to revive. Were people tired? For god sake, bartender, we need an espresso shot!  As the set progressed along there was the sassy "Move in Light" and also revisited "Black House". Both were dance-y and engaging yet they had nixed an experimental edge that it embodies on the album.  "Jean Genie" was a sweet and energetic homage to the late Mr. David Bowie and quite a nice touch at that. Wrapping up the night with " I Melt with You"  felt like you got to experience a live time capsule of some iconic zeitgeist, pulled off with verve and integrity. I was glad to be a part of it.