Apr 26

Apr 26 Review: Cheekface at Eulogy

Just before Cheekface launched into the final songs of its April 19 set at Eulogy, frontman Greg Katz took a rare moment to be serious. It was a surprising pivot from a band that, earlier in the night, played its short, absurd anthem “Noodles” four times in a row — with the crowd gleefully shouting along to its chorus, “A big cup of noodles, a giant cup of noodles,” like it was a sacred chant.

Katz reflected on the days leading up to the LA-based quartet’s tour, describing a grim morning ritual: waking up, checking his “glowing rectangle,” and being met with the same parade of fascist faces. Like so many of us, the consistent doom generated by the daily news cycle of Trump 2.0 led the singer to ask “What’s the fucking point?” It’s a feeling that’s all too relatable. But this banter wasn’t meant to be a downer as Katz went on to express the band’s deep appreciation for its fans.

Throughout the night, it was clear that Cheekface’s relationship with its audience is what fuels the artists through the grind of indie touring, especially in an era of ambient political dread. Though Eulogy wasn’t at capacity, nearly everyone in the room seemed to know every word to every song. The band fed off that energy, delivering one tight, buoyant track after another, creating a kind of symbiotic jubilation fit for a much larger space.

Katz’s brand of talk-singing — which leans more towards Jonathan Richman than Sleaford Mods — isn’t for everyone, no matter how witty the lyrics are. But for those who get it, they really get it. And it helps having a songwriting partner like Mandy Tannen. The former Stellastarr* bassist perfectly delivers the kind of funky rhythms and sweet, dreamy backing vocals that will earn comparisons to Kim Deal and Tina Weymouth.

And really, isn’t it about time another band came around to poke fun at all the overly self-serious musicians out there? The ’90s had that ongoing tug-of-war between earnest brooding and gleeful subversion — for every Eddie Vedder, there was a Gene Ween. Cheekface feels like a throwback to that balance, using wit, charm, and self-awareness to take the piss without ever punching down.

Between the band’s nerdy swagger, ska flirtations (like in “Rude World”), and utter disregard for what’s “cool,” Cheekface straddles a glorious line between unhip and excellent. Sincerity, genuine musical talent, and the willingness to jump all the way in is what keeps them on the right side of it. Who else could sneak in a few bars of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Give It Away” (sung by keyboardist A.J. Johnson) during “Military Gum,” or lead a crowd through the “Cha Cha Slide” without being cast out for violating the unspoken laws of hipsterdom?

Over the course of a 22-song set — 25 if you count every run of “Noodles” — the band never lost its grip on the adoring crowd. The four-piece showcased plenty from its new album Middle Spoon, including standouts like “Flies” and the set-closing “Living Lo-Fi,” while also digging into such deeper cuts as the infectiously catchy “You Always Want to Bomb the Middle East.” Judging by the response from the room, the bulk of the audience was well-versed on Cheekface beyond its most recent release.

As soon as the final notes rang out, most of the audience made a beeline for the merch table, while others waited patiently for an opportunity to get a selfie with the band. It was the kind of devotion usually reserved for cult juggernauts like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard — an encouraging sign for the future of the quartet. As music industry veterans who’ve openly expressed disinterest in coolness and dubbed themselves “America’s Local Band,” Cheekface may have something far better than hipster cred: a devoted fanbase.

(Photos by Jonny Leather)