LIVE: Beware! The Other Head of Science @ LarkFest, 9/19/09

Beware! the Other Head of Science took the Townsend Park Stage of LarkFest, almost blithely unaware of the festivities occurring simultaneously on Lark Street. Beware! were in their own adjacent universe. Illustrating this point, the gang of six wore matching, dept. of public works-orange t-shirts hand-stenciled with the words, “Larp Fest 09.”

Proud purveyors of electro-pop, Beware’s ploy to steal your retinas was just as quickly followed by a compelling and successful attempt to steal all ears. The frenetic band exploded with energy, confetti and music. The set was littered with clever numbers like “Monster Song” about Lake Champlain’s Champ and “Winter Coats” (slang for beards).

Beware! is led by a pair of guitar/keyboard wielding front-men, the ever-shrinking Richard Nolan Jr. and Matt “Terd” Ferguson, who are driven by the dead on whack attack of drummer Seth Tillinghast.

One can’t help but be drawn in by fiery redhead, Matt Ferguson whose substantial stage presence brings to mind the likes of Joe Strummer, combined with a vocal quality and a conviction of Jello Biafra. Ferguson, as if unsatisfied with the confines of the stage, at one point took to the crowd in the street with bull-horn in hand . When the confetti had cleared and the bull-horn was silent, Beware! the Other Head of Science may have also stolen the hearts and won over the minds of the enthusiastic crowd.

Review and photographs by Matt Mac Haffie