Live: The Clay People / The Phoenix and the Raven / Black Belt Jones @ Empire Underground, 06/17/2022

By Mike Stampalia On Jun 19, 2022

The Clay People came roaring back Friday night at Empire Underground.

Legends in the Capital Region music scene, full stop (they have been around in one form or another going back to 1989), this was to be their first live show since December of 2019. The show would also serve as the release party for their new album, Cult Hypnotica, as well as the comic book Colossus, based on their song of the same name. No pressure, right?

Lots could go wrong here. The guys could be rusty after 2 1/2 years. The new music could be weak. After 30+ years on the scene, it would be easy for fatigue or ennui to set in. But in front of a disappointingly small, but savvy and appreciative crowd, The Clay People would prove that none of that was true. As lead singer Dan Neet would say about half a dozen songs in, “I’m still here”. Indeed.

Taking the stage to the perfect intro of “Battle Flag” (Lo Fidelity Allstars version), a sunglasses-wearing Neet went immediately to the elevated front and center of the stage and proceeded to just own it for the next hour. It can’t be overstated how strong a frontman Neet is; he is positively compelling up there, and it is nearly impossible to break away from him except when he is consciously directing you to do so. He somehow projects an equal mix of Hannibal Lecter-like insanity and self-aware geniality at the same time. But most of all, he lets you know that he loves it up there. He is ridiculously comfortable (and effective) in the spotlight.

“Colossus” was the first (Clay People) song played, and for good reason. Dan Dinsmore’s propulsive drums punched through the crowd and by the time the first chorus of “I am Colossus” hit, it was easy to answer the question “Why would someone make a comic book out of this song?” It doesn’t require a lot of lyrical exposition; it’s purely visceral. And, damn, those drums. You have a picture of Colossus in your head, whether you want it or not.

“Plug” was next, from their breakthrough 1998 eponymous album, and to my ears was the best song of the night. And that’s saying a lot. If Neet grabs your attention first, and Dinsmore’s drums owned “Colossus”, now it was time for the guitars to shine. Brian McGarvey and Jared Weed, both unselfish on their guitars, put on a clinic as to how a song this heavy could manage to swing. Eric Braymer’s bass, here and throughout the set, provided the necessary bottom to balance the abrasiveness elsewhere. All five members contribute to a sound that’s bigger than their sum. This is a band.

Rolling into the new material after a peak that high is a risky move, but that’s what came next. Several songs from the imminent Cult Hypnotica album were put right out there to stand on their own. Or not – that’s the game. On first listen, they measured up for me well. “Cult Hypnotic”, in particular, immediately sticks with you; it seems like an obvious winner. And after an equally effective “Drugs”, Neet asked (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) “Too soon? Too soon on the drug references? Well, I’m still here, man.” A reference to a struggle he has been very up-front about, it served as an uplifting moment mid-set.

The latter part of the set focused on numbers fans would be more familiar with. A particularly strong “My X-Ploding Head” was a highlight, as was “Pariah”, which had an entirely different stylistic feel than the rest of the set. The closing two-song punch of “Awake” (their most popular song) into “Stone” was expectedly well-received by the crowd. The audience was left wanting more, but in a good way. A well-thought out hour-long set that reminded everybody that “they still got it”, but also served as a reminder that they have no intention of living (solely) in the past.

Preceding the Clay People were fellow Albanians The Phoenix and the Raven. I’d heard some of their debut EP The Hero (and liked it), but this was my first time seeing the band live. Visually, the guys look like they’re from five different bands, and the music they make matches none of them individually. This is not a negative; I’m not a fan of stereotypes. Their music has a lot going on in it, particularly a lot of instrumentation. Their best moments were when they allowed themselves to hit a groove, which (coincidentally) was mostly on the tracks they introduced as their new ones. This makes me optimistic for their new album.

Opening the night was Black Belt Jones, also from Albany. Formed during the pandemic, this band came across as immediately likable, in spite of wrestling with some sound difficulties during their set. They have a vaguely bluesy foundation, which is as effective as it is (initially) unexpected. Guitarist Josh Gibbons is an easy call-out as a high point. He quietly knocks your socks off while you’re not looking. Singer Mike Langone also is engaging frontman, with potential to become even more so. A band to keep your eye on.

Setlist (The Clay People)