The Lazy Cowgirls/Shop Fronts @ Ding Dong Lounge, NYC: March 23, 2004

If you can’t be front and center at a Lazy Cowgirls gig, the only other thing to do is put your face in the speaker. Hear every word, feel every note… pay close attention, but don’t forget to dance. But really, how can you not dance? That’s what the Cowgirls’ music makes you do. Singer Pat Todd is constantly twirling and kicking his feet. Real-deal rocknroll. Woe to those who miss ‘em when they come to town.

As usual, a Cowgirls set consists of mostly new songs. They played maybe 75% of the new LP I’m Goin’ Out and Get Hurt Tonight, with most of the rest of the set coming from material recorded in the last five years. Like the last few times the Cowgirls came around, Todd strapped on his acoustic mid-set for some slower numbers (like the re-worked crowd favorite “Goddamn Bottle”).

Opening up was the Shop Fronts, a two guitar/drums NYC outfit reminiscent of mid-90s garage punk (think the Drags or some bands on Rip Off Records). Apparently it was their first show and their nervousness showed on stage. They lose no points ‘cuz they rocked, did a GG Allin cover and one guitarist had a Goner Records shirt on (Tennessee-based label run by a member of the late Oblivians). They’re playing with the Black Lips at Sin-e on April 10 so check ‘em out.