Mika Miko at Hi-Dive, June 26
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Some bands retain an air of mystery about their appearance intentionally; Mika Miko accomplished this kind of incognito status last Friday at the Hi-Dive simply by being their low-key selves.
The four California girls and the one dude happily milled about the venue unnoticed, the majority of patrons focused instead on the bar, shoving and wiggling into the cramped space like farm animals at a feeding trough. This allowed the band to push through the shoulders and pint glasses with ease, and discreetly they climbed the awkward stage to open with the track “Wild Bore.”
Vocalist Jenna Thornhill stood unenthused as she sang, her mouth permanently twisted as her black pleated pants crept up her mid-section, the fabric looking like it was going to swallow her petite frame whole. Fellow vocalist Jennifer Clavin was a stark contrast to Thornhill’s grumpy stance, her beaming smile and Charlie Brown dance moves warmed up the audience as the duo howled through “I Got A Lot (New, New, New).”
Thornhill and Clavin barked out songs like “End of Time” and “Business Cats” as guitarist Michelle Suarez and bassist Jessie Clavin’s big grins and shifty eyes bopped along from under matching pairs of greasy black and blonde bangs. An audience member screamed out for “Turkey Sandwich” and the band happily complied, bringing vocalist Clavin to take on the guitar as Suarez banged out the beats on the floor with a tambourine. In between sips from an oversized gas station beverage cup, Thornhill cracked a smile or two, her eyes widening as she took on the saxophone for “Sex Jazz.”
The set felt short but just right, covering material from 2006’s C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. to this year’s awesomely vibing We Be Xuxa, Mika Miko’s monotone vocals and wandering guitar came to life as drummer Seth Densham pounded out jittering beats. As usual, the Hi-Dive crowd seemed more interested in the beer than the band, but it didn’t matter. The audience at Mika Miko’s feet was dense and obsessed, and took in every gesture and wavering howl with love and devotion.
