With their deliberate misspelling of “preposterous” for a name, you can’t expect the guys in local comic-metal outfit Proposterous to take anything too seriously-except for throwing down a wickedly raucous CD release party.
Introduced by semi-nude and obviously intoxicated comedian Bryan O’Gorman (who cautioned that the band would not be responsible for soiled underwear, cheating girlfriends, or “any semen” that might result from the forthcoming sonic assault), Proposterous took the stage. Stripped to the waist and striped and dotted with tribal body paint, these dudes looked like they were born to rock.
Proposterous, comprised of singer/guitarist Craig VK and drummer Hunter J, are certainly a unique band in Toronto. Sporting a sound influenced by 80s hard rockers like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Soundgarden, the two also show an affinity with 70s metal acts like Black Sabbath and Zeppelin.
But perhaps the most apt description of the duo is their own. On their MySpace page, Proposterous describe their sound as resembling “God having sex with Satan, and God is a hot chick. But Satan looks like JTT [Jonathan Taylor Thomas].” And honestly, that’s not too far off.
A large portion of Proposterous’ posturing is comedic, and they’re better for it. Instead of being one of those shitty nu-metal bands earnestly ripping off Static X, Korn and the worst of emo, Proposterous delivers huge, head-banging riffs with a cheeky smile that lets you know that the inherent ridiculousness of it all is fully intended, and is, in fact, a vital part of what they do.
I hesitate to use the label “joke band” here because the term has been usurped to refer to one section of the total spectrum it could apply to. Proposterous aren’t like Weird Al or Tenacious D, and they don’t do parody songs. In some ways, their whole set can be seen as one giant, meta-parody of a hard rock band, like Spinal Tap. Despite their “who gives a fuck” attitude and offensive yet hilarious brand of humour, the two are skilled musicians, proficient performers and Scandinavian drinking champions (apparently).
Proposterous
Sneaky Dee’s
Thursday January 18
Rating: VVVV / VVVVV
Playing to a near-capacity crowd at Sneaky Dee’s on Thursday night, Proposterous launched into songs from their brand new CD Tiger Tits. Craig handled vocals and somehow made his single guitar sound like three six-strings and a bass-usually all at once. Meanwhile, drummer Hunter was busy beating on his kit like a drunken stepfather on the first of the month. Sporting some serious double-kick skills, Hunter surprised the moshing crowd by spewing a mouthful of (hopefully fake) blood all over his chest, to the shock and delight of everyone present.
After two huge opening numbers, Craig introduced The Tiger Girls, the group’s two female backup dancers dressed like-you guessed it-tigers. The girls came prepared to party, packing huge Super Soaker squirt guns loaded with vodka. While the band played a spirited rendition of “The Thrill” off of Tiger Tits, the girls took turns showering audience members in free alcohol, usually aiming for people’s mouths but hitting about 50/50.
It was around this time that thunderous applause for one number prompted Hunter to shout “I just came in my pants! Smell that? Either they opened up a swimming pool in Sneaky Dee’s or I just came in my underwear!”
Next, Proposterous launched into a hard-rock cover of “Mad World” by Tears for Fears (an acoustic cover of that song got a lot of exposure recently in a commercial for the X-Box game Gears of War) which ended up sounding more like “Gone Away” by the Offspring, but was full of energy nonetheless.
The best part of the show came during a drum break. Craig abandoned his guitar and joined Hunter on drums from behind the kit. Then, in one well-rehearsed move, Hunter slid aside and Craig took over the whole thing without missing a beat. Hunter picked up Craig’s guitar and the pair continued the song with their positions reversed.
If this stunt was meant to exhibit their musical skill, what happened next was a testament to their sense of humour. One of the Tiger Girls made her way to the back of the kit and performed the same maneuver, taking over drum duties from Craig. Hunter set down the guitar and joined Craig at centre stage. Instrumentless the two shamelessly basked in their ironic glory, with the poor Tiger Girl working hard to supply a solid beat. It was excellently executed and thoroughly hilarious. The crowd went wild.
Those looking to see a real “joke” band should have stayed for closers Sean Ward and the Realness-a name that’s actually more ironic than apt.
