Mosquito Bandito – Kelly’s Olympian – Nov 10, 2009
In my experience, it is not unusual to find people who are very technically proficient on their instrument but lack the intangible spark of connection that can happen between audience and performer. It is much rarer to find a situation where those qualities are reversed…specifically where a performer is merely competent on their instrument(s) but they manage to create a real, solid, energetic connection with the audience. I’m not sure why this happens, that’s the magic of it. Perhaps it is just the right mix of charisma, bravado, with a dash of “I don’t give a fuck” thrown in…but whatever it is, Mosquito Bandito has it.
Mosquito Bandito is a loud one man band primarily playing electric guitar, singing/screaming/mumbling, while also playing kick, snare and beating the crap out of a hi-hat with the headstock of his guitar. A lot of the songs sound angry and he did tell everyone in the crowd that if he didn’t personally know them they could “fuck off.” I took it as tongue in cheek, but who knows, maybe I was closer to a beating than I realized… There were humorous crowd interactions, a little story, and plenty to witness. His playing is adequate and works for what he’s doing. Fairly straight forward solo punk rock while stomping on drums. Sometimes the timing of the drums isn’t right there, but it’s good enough for what he’s doing and I’m sure he would tell me it didn’t matter and to stop being an asshole if he were here sitting next to me as I typed this.
There is a perfectly natural, visceral energy that comes off the stage when he plays…there’s also quite a bit of spit flying. Moquito Bandito is obviously from the punk tradition and there was a fair amount of spitting into the crowd during his set. I positioned myself and my drink out of harms way. I only saw one audience member spit back in his direction but I imagine on a rowdy night it could get pretty disgusting…
I love great musicianship and technical virtuosity…but most of all I love to see a band and audience connect, especially when everyone is having fun in the process. You wouldn’t come to see Mosquito Bandito for a display of guitar mastery, but if you want to jump around and have some fun, it’s a hit.
He’s heading out on tour after next week’s show at the Twilight Cafe… so if you’re intrigued you’d better see him then.
