I just saw The Go! Team at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on Saturday. Usually when you look at a band photo you can tell who the leader is. If you look at Go! Team photos, usually you'll find Ninja front and center (you can probably guess who Ninja is, even though ninjas are traditionally Asian), and you'll usually find one guy either in the background or covering his face somehow. This episode is about that guy.
His name is Ian Parton. In pictures he's shy and in concert he doesn't say anything to the audience. This is the clearest picture of him I could find online (on left). He doesn't even have a Wikipedia page. But let me tell you something about Ian: he's got the spirit of a five-year-old child, in the best way possible. At the end of a song, he would hold his guitar up, ringing with feedback, for just a little bit too long, with a coy smirk on his face. He would play around on the drums between songs. When Ian rocks out on guitar, jumping and throwing his head of messy hair in circles, it's not because he's trying to impress anyone or even express himself - he's doing it because he can't help it. I've never seen an adult have so much fun in my entire life.
So what kind of music does a guy like Ian create? It's an eclectic (to put it mildly) mix of styles: double-dutch chants, Charlie Brown piano, car chase sounds, and Sonic Youth-style guitar, to mention a few. It's whatever Ian liked. It could be its own genre. He wasn't trying to emulate or impress anyone, and that's why their first album in particular is pure genius. "Thunder, Lightning Strike" was recorded in his parents' kitchen, so it sounds muddled but it's the perfect sound for the style.
1. The Go! Team - "Junior Kickstart" (2004)
You're five years old, and the race is about to begin. You rev up your little go-kart engine with each cycle of the distorted guitar, as you look around with supreme confidence. Timmy Klippins thinks he's going to beat you, but you've been practicing all week, and you know the course like it's the back of your hand, but you're not thinking about that now. The race is about to begin.
As soon as the horns kick in, the countdown begins.........
3..........................................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................................
1..........................................................................................................................
GO! the bass drops in, and the race is on. It's not even close - you're kicking everyone's butt. Did I mention you're five years old and you don't even care about the trophy? It's all about the spirit, and it's beautiful.
2. The Go! Team - "We Just Won't Be Defeated" (2004)
You're so good you have your own cheerleaders. This song has a really cool bass line, and you can hear the Charlie Brown-style piano in the background. Music doesn't get a whole lot more original than this, and it's all from the mind of Ian Parton.
3. The Go! Team - "Everyone's A VIP To Someone"
I got lucky to see them play four songs from this album, including this one. It was really Ian's moment to shine. He doesn't sing, so playing the hell out of his harmonica was how he expressed himself vocally. He loved it up there, making his way around most of the stage as he rocked out just as hard as he did playing guitar. The final race was epic. You came in second to Timmy Klippins, but it's ok. You'll get him next year.
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