For lovers of local music in Southern Maine, the phrase ‘Clash of the Titans’ no longer refers to a film pairing super hero against super hero, rather, it means a competition of super-bands, by local band members.
Beginning in 2006, local musicians began collaborating to perform evenings of cover songs by super-bands, pitting The Red Hot Chilli Peppers v. Oasis, Fleetwood Mac v. The Eagles, and Bob Dylan v. Bob Marley. Since this event has become a weekly staple,
Tuesday nights at the Big Easy are no longer quiet. In fact, for the recent Clash of the Titans: Prince v. Michael Jackson, more crowd arrived than the venue could physically, or legally hold. The music club was at capacity before the show began and a line extended from almost a block long.
“I saw the real Prince perform in the 90’s in his prime,” a Portland woman waiting in line outside told me, “and the line wasn’t this long.”
This week, anticipating another success, the Big Easy put on an encore Friday night performance of M.J. v. “The artist formally known as” and again, drew more of a crowd than the club could handle. Michael Jackson’s band included fifteen performers, from backup singers to a brass section. Jackson, in all his glory, was played by Zach Jones, of The Pete Kilpatrick Band, and As Fast As.
“I can pretty much die happy now. I did moves last night I’ve been doing since I was six-years-old dancing in my basement,” Jones said.
Prince embodied in Megan Jo Wilson, Portland singer-songwriter who put out her solo album “Seeds, Stars, Galaxies” in 2006. This talented singer was able to capture the raw sensuality that is the artist’s trademark. Wearing ruffles and hitting all the high notes, the audience was thrilled by her performance, especially during “Purple Rain,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Raspberry Beret.” So thrilled, at one point, that a young lady in the audience threw her bra on stage. Staying in character, Wilson wrapped it around her microphone stand and carried on.
Whether or not you can gauge a performance by the items that get thrown onstage is questionable. The entire Big Easy was singing along, with fans belting out well-known lyrics. Because it was an encore, there was no winner announced, rather, a grand finale that included both bands in a triumphant decree of “We are the World.”
If you want to pick future winners, the match-up next Tuesday will be INXS vs. The Killers. On November 25, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott. December 2 will feature Primus vs. Rush, and on December 9, ABBA vs. The Beegees. December 16 promises Tenacious D vs. Spinal Tap. The event begins at 9 p.m. for those 21 and older.