Concert review: The Crazy Ivans at the Lakewood Bar & Grill (October 23)

by Mike Orren

LAKEWOOD — There was a nice bit of serendipity last night as we were walking from dinner at the Cock & Bull to the Burlesque Nocturne show: I bumped into Crazy Ivans guitarist (and former PegNews staffer) Justin Smith outside the Lakewood Bar & Grill, where the band was slated to play later in the evening. Turns out they were going on right as our planned entertainment wrapped, so we made plans to stop by and catch their set.

I was glad to get the opportunity: In addition to Justin, the band features our superhuman events-entry machine and Thursday Cupchecker, Todd Maternowski on bass. I had completely dropped the ball on reviewing their inaugural disc nearly a year ago. It was a really busy and awkward time, as we were negotiating the re-sale of PegNews, unbeknownst to most of the staff. And, I found myself subconsciously putting it off, because while I saw the quality in the melodic hard-rock on Go Back to Russia, Sucka!, it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was like a restaurant critic trying to review a sushi joint run by their pals, when they really don't eat raw fish. This conundrum of transparency and fairness spiraled on, interrupted by continuing wheelings and dealings with Our Little Business until I passed the point where there was a "new" album to talk about.

So, all disclosures and prelude aside, I'm happy to say that I really dug the Crazy Ivans' show. I don't know if it's an evolution in their sound or the difference between album and live, but they were laying down a mature punk- and pop-inspired hard rock that was fun and infectious without ever veering into bubblegum. Where my early assessment had been of a grindier Evanescence, I found myself thinking much more of The Runaways.

Comparisons to female-vocal rock bands are inevitable when you've got a lead singer with the charisma and stage presence of the Ivans' Kristen Lueken. She can belt and wail, but uses that wisely, mostly singing with a more subdued tone and then pulling out the vocal assault to great effect at key points in a song. Justin and guitarist Keith Riskey have an energetic two-guitar assault, with Justin energetically driving the rhythm and Keith dropping in nice solo bits. I also really appreciate the extra layering that comes from Mike Maternowski's organ, which rarely takes center stage but adds a dimension of complexity that elevates the solid rock performance of the rest of the band.

I was surprised to hear that the Ivans hadn't played a gig since May, as they were as tight and well-rehearsed as any touring act. They have some new songs they're recording for a new album, including one that appropriately celebrates their love of live rock shows. I have a feeling that disc will be in heavy rotation for me in a couple months.