MP3: "What Love Is" by MadMartigan, Playing White Room This Friday

Let's start by dispensing with the Willow jokes. Yes, the band took its name from the jumbo-size character played by Val Kilmer in that movie about mystical dwarves. Still, our MadMartigan guys finally got their asses into the studio to record some music.Without sword or sorcery, the rock and roll...

By Abel Folgar

June 10, 2010

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Let's start by dispensing with the Willow jokes. Yes, the band took its name from the jumbo-size character played by Val Kilmer in that movie about mystical dwarves. Still, our MadMartigan guys finally got their asses into the studio to record some music.

Without sword or sorcery, the rock and roll quartet finished their new album, Call of the Wild, which we'll review here shortly when it's totally complete. In the meantime, to whet your appetites is an MP3 from said disc that also happens to be a cover of my favorite Dead Boys song, "What Love Is."

Sonic and unrelenting like the motherfucking Dead Boys were, I'm pleased that MadMartigan takes their cue here from the Younger, Louder and Snottier incarnation of the band (as opposed to incarnation from the earlier, but flat Young, Loud and Snotty album).

Yeah, this is grimy and desperate and distorted, and the combo of Michael (vocals), Red (guitar), Dwayne (bass), and Richard (drums) maintains the energy of the original with their own original inflections peppered throughout.

Also of note is the fact that this Friday, the band hosts a full-on rock and roll party at White Room called "Rock N Roll Massacre!!!" Which suits me just fine. Along with these dudes will be Bulletproof Tiger and Riot Agents. If all goes well, this might turn into a monthly event.

Mad Martigan. With Bulletproof Tiger and Riot Agents. 9 p.m. Friday, June 11. White Room, 1306 N. Miami Ave., Miami. 305-995-5050; whiteroommiami.com

MP3: Mad Martigan - "What Love Is"

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