Emperor X
10/9/6
Empty Bottle in Chicago
Playing for what felt like half an hour but was probably more like forty-five minutes, Chad Matheny, lead singer of the one-man- band-do-it-yourself wonder, Emperor X sang out to his avid fans. Let’s face it, there’s nothing indier than indie rock. (Indie disco just doesn’t have the same feel to it) and Matheny is truly leading a kingdom in the direction of poetic lo fi subtle and unlikely anthems. This was the first time I had seen Emperor X, though I had heard of his awe inspiring ability to play requests he hadn’t gotten to in the proper set for handfuls of people after shows. (I feel this says something great about him, that he’s willing to do this.) Lyrically and musically, I was reminded a little bit of perhaps The Microphones though at times live I detected just a twinge reminiscent of Colin Meloy from Decembrists fame in the vocals.
Playing with just a guitar, his voice sometimes had such an echo effect as he played audience favorites that were called out like “Citizens of Witchita,” “Right to the Rails” and “Laminate Factory.” The audience also sang with him making particular noises on cue. It’s interesting how fun it can be to join along in something like this. I felt like I was amongst the indiest of indies-the ones who had weathered through the storms of bands like TV on the Radio and made it through to something perhaps more innocent and true. These are the people that amidst the postmodern instant gratification landscape trudge through books like Guns, Gerns, and Steel because inevitably good things come to those who are patient and willing to open their minds (and listen!)
You can find lyrics to Emperor X songs as published by Chad Matheny here. So far reading through them, here are some of my favorites:
From “The Citizens of Witchita”
“And all five hundred thousand citizens of Witchita tried to get a piece of your beautiful face. Drooling on themselves in the Methodist parking lots. Throw your shoes in the Arkansas and watch them get erased.”
From “Laminate Factory”
“Every now and again I quit my job at the laminate factory”
From “Right to the Rails”
“Tremendous friction in the cultivaritorium.”more pictures (and enlarge above pictures)...
