Adventures In Girl Power: Mess Up The Mess
Four Piece Indie Band Highly Entertaining
Betjeman Society
Mess Up The Mess takes its name from the famed British writer, poet and broadcaster, Sir John Betjeman poem “Slough.”
“Mess up the mess they call a town," wrote Betjeman.
As with a poem having deeper meaning, band members Jeannie Centofani, Matt (the lone male in the group), Julie and Elizabeth, caress the line between silly garage band and social commentary songs in like “You’re Not My (Myers-Briggs) Type” and “Crystal Pools.” “Pools” showers the listener with images of a time when African Americans couldn’t swim the same waters as whites. Its words collide with reality, that even now, society has a ways to go. Who writes a song about "Myers-Briggs? And still makes it catchy?
Mess Up The Mess challenge listeners to find the deeper meaning in their words, at the same time lacing up their blue Doc Martens and going beyond Emo. This band has a little Frank Zappa in it with lyrics found in “And Stay Lost”:
“Agatha Christie showed back up, Others didn’t have such luck, They disappeared and then stayed gone, Try it, you might find it’s fun.”
It’s evident that Washington D.C.’s eclectic environment, like Dupont Circle, has fostered unique perspectives, and at the same time, channeled what most people see but choose to ignore.
Positive Outcomes
Listeners will enjoy comparisons to Green Day or The Donnas with “Lawn Chair Meet Balloon” and “Hippocratic Oaf.” "Ton of Bricks" is melodic, but raunchilicious in its anthem-like chorus. It's a bit like the movie "Welcome to the Dollhouse" marrying "Satisfaction." Yes, 'Satisfaction"--the movie with Justine Bateman.
These songs, as are most, positive and energetic. What they lack in tight orchestration they more than make up for in lyrics and fast-paced punk. The strings are simple, as are the drum beats. Some of the lyrics can be a bit trite at times, but maintain a certain artistic punch that lends itself well to the band's overall feel.
Mess Up The Mess evokes a feeling as if to say “it is what it is, but don’t sit and do nothing—get out there!” Or, they might just be making a song about Kevin Federline, which they’ve been quoted as saying. Judging they their clever writing and pop culture references, it's not entirely suprising.
Mess Up the Mess Colorful and Fun
No cheese factor here, Mess Up The Mess, is a straight shot to coolness. With bright-colored t-shirts and equally up-tempo songs, it’s a nicely packaged parcel of pixie. This band chooses to find good in the bad, and disguises it with go-go glasses, pink socks, and thumping baselines. Not to mention, the ironing board that holds up the Yamaha keybord. Yes, an ironing board. It’s electric and it’s fun.
