Everybody Crank Your Hogs
Article by Lexy Girgis
Photos by K. Godfrey
Despite the rain and cold, Long Island came out strong to support Bilmuri on the Second Lap of their sold out American Motor Tour at Mulcahy’s. Tour opener Ally Nicholas commanded the packed room with an impressive clarity and strength of voice that hit like a punch to the chest. Explosive and emotional, much of her setlist brought the energy of headliner Bilmuri’s 2016 album “Letters”. Standouts included absolute earworm “Fall Into”, the artist’s top Spotify track “Seventeen”, and a haunting cover of The Pixies’ “Where is My Mind?”
The crowd packed in close to the oddly shaped room as Bilmuri’s set began and only got closer as people tried making their way towards the mosh pit. Regardless of whether they’re headlining a theater like Irving Plaza in NYC, opening for Sleep Token in European arenas, or crammed onto a relatively smaller stage in Wantagh, Long Island, Bilmuri are extraordinary performers who are incredibly successful at getting people moving.
One of the greatest strengths in Johnny Franck’s corn-bred-and-fed American patriot persona is the unironic enthusiasm with which his fan base embraces the bit. The performance of a stereotypical American masculinity is subversive and camp, and standing in the crowd becomes a thrilling game of spectating and speculating the degree to which each member believes in the performance. Regardless of your suspension of disbelief, the American Motor Tour is, as it states in glowing lights above the bar at Mulcahy’s, just good, clean American fun.
Franck is an outstandingly talented performer, supported in his tomfoolery by an energetic and equally silly, talented band that knows how to match his freak. A hometown show for wind instrumentalist and co-vocalist Gabi Rose, she threw the audience into a frenzy over and over with her screaming saxophone and soaring voice. Often joining her in hyping up the crowd and absolutely shredding on guitar, Reese Maslen gave big puppy vibes to the stage, even as he roared through powerful harsh vocals. Xavier Ware brought us to church on drums, keeping the heartbeat of Franck’s songs pulsing strong and steady throughout the night.
Muri Nation enjoyed a setlist of tracks primarily off their most recent album, American Motor Sports, like borderline ballad “2016 CAVALIERS (Ohio)” and deluxe 420CC tracks “TOO LATE” and “THE END”. Crowd favorites included slightly older songs like EGGY POCKY track “FLOURIDEINTHEHARDSELTZERWATER” and 2020 single “ABSOLUTELYCRANKINMYMF’INHOG”, and they closed their set with smash hit “BETTER HELL (Thicc boi)”. The lamentatious, heartfelt nature of Bilmuri’s lyrics may seem at odds with the raucous spirit of their shows, but there is freedom in knowing the hurt, singing it, and dancing through it. It is through his stage persona that Johnny Franck is granted the freedom to express genuine emotion.
Don’t forget to check out the full photo gallery of the show!
