Stella Rose, with JJ and the Rogues and Ashford
April 10 at the Moon
2911 W. Berry St., Fort Worth
It took a little time to get to the main event Saturday at the Moon in Fort Worth. Alt-rock quintet Ashford opened up a three-band show at the Berry Street venue. While competent, Ashford's set lacked any real energy or punch, and I found myself wanting to hit fast-forward to the next act.
That next act was JJ and the Rogues, a pop/new wave-tinted band with an Elvis Costello influence. Their normal vocalist, Jameson Cockerell, was ill and unable to sing. But they still played a strong, mostly original set. If they put on this good of a show with a man on the disabled list, I look forward to hearing them at their best.
But the star of the evening was McKenna Madget, bassist for Stella Rose -- and she made it worth the wait. At 5 feet 2 inches, Madget is barely taller than the Fender Jazz Bass she rocks for the band. Although Madget has toured extensively with drummer Matt Mabe and frontman/guitarist Stephen Beatty, she still has trouble getting respect from the crew at the venues.
"I'll go to a show," Madget says, "and people will think I'm with the band, not in the band. Matt will get a solid handshake, Steven will get a solid handshake, and they won't even recognize me at all."
That perception needs to change immediately. I don't think Madget stopped moving for a second during the entire Saturday show. Despite the antics, however, her playing was flawless. If you've ever seen Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads perform, well, imagine that with more energy.
As for Stella Rose, Beatty and Madget describe the band as neo-grunge. ("Grunge is due back," Madget says. "We've heard everything else come back, and grunge is next.") But that description doesn't do the trio justice. From the first drumbeat Saturday night, Stella Rose hit the stage like a freight train. The drumming was frantic and intense, as is to be expected of veteran drummer Mabe. The vocals were harsh and enthusiastic, the guitar relentless.
Even more impressive: All of the band's music is original. Beatty draws from his own turbulent life for lyrical inspiration. "I can get girls, but I can't keep them," he says.
During Saturday's performance, the onstage energy was palpable. Mabe and McKenna always seemed to be laughing at some inside joke and having a great time. Beatty tore into his guitar with such enthusiasm that by the end of the show, you could see blood on the white pick guard.
And for a rock 'n' roll finish: Just before the last three songs, Beatty sent the Fender Jaguar sailing into a pile of cases off-stage -- and then picked up another guitar to finish. For a finale, he knocked the microphone stands onto the dance floor, while Mabe kicked over his drums and strolled into the crowd.
More about Stella Rose: www.myspace.com/stellarosemusic
