The women of Marabelle Phoenix are pretty and young — they don't look mean or dangerous at all. (Although frontwoman Donnelle looks kind of like she could take you if she had to.) So when they start in with the Geraldine Fibbers-influenced cowpunk, you might start looking around to see where they're hiding the toothless geezers. After awhile, though, you'll notice just how many tattoos the ladies have, and that yes, that's a hottie playing the singing saw. There's another one on lap steel National guitar; Donnelle plays the spoons, and a friendly-looking dude holds down the drum kit. The music is raw, spiky, and aggressively mournful: This may look like a band full of sugary harmonies, but in reality, Marabelle Phoenix makes the Knitters sound doughy and soft. The live show would probably make American Idol's Brooke White cry and pee, but moonshine-swillers in tight pants crowd the aisles and yowl along.
Sat., March 29, 5 p.m.-2 a.m., 2008
