Eels get bizarre

The Eels
The Music Mill
Thursday, June 23

What is normally the Music Mill dance floor was turned into a more theatrical setting with rows of folding chairs to accommodate our “inner adults.” After a foreign claymation film and a short promotional video, a gentleman with an English accent announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, Eels will not be rocking this evening. They will be here, but they will not be rocking.”

Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E, founded rock band Eels almost 10 years ago. The only constant member decided to try something completely different during the current tour, called “Eels with Strings.” The most recent lineup includes a string quartet of beautiful women, a very tall man with a very tall mohawk who played several instruments and a man called The Chet who played everything from a saw to a suitcase.

The standard “Are you ready to rock?!” provoked an enthusiastic crowd response. “Sorry,” E said. Then began a gentle acoustic selection from the new album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. The set included favorites “My Beloved Monster” and “I Like Birds.”

Midway through the set, The Chet pulled out drumsticks and played a snare that was hidden inside of a can while the string quartet played tambourines and shakers. E sent the band away for a solo performance of “Railroad Man.” An orchestrated version of “Flyswatter” combined with “Novocaine for the Soul” ended in noise similar to a broken carnival ride, and included the innovative use of a large blue vibrator.

The crowd showed appreciation with an enthusiastic standing ovation. Eels returned for two encores, which included the song “Hey Man, Now You’re Really Living,” complete with crowd participation. Those who stuck around after the lights came on saw E emerge in flannel pajamas with a casually dressed band that played an instrumental version of “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues.” Unusual instruments, E’s cigar-enhanced vocals and very capable musicians made this a unique and inspirational evening.