NOT BLOOD PAINT IS ALL ABOUT THE FAMILY AT ROUGH TRADE

Tuesday night I witnessed one of the most entertaining shows I’ve seen in a while. It was the annual Miliken Family Reunion, hosted by the Miliken family band, aka Not Blood Paint, at Rough Trade.

NBP

NBP

The night started with the electro-jam sounds of Starlight Girls. While their synth-heavy, harmonic songs filled the room, the Miliken family band walked through the crowd handing out Miliken family name tags to all those on hand.

Starlight Girls

Next up was Philly’s funky-as-hell Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket. Decked out in fantastic 70’s era outfits, these guys and gals had the entire room dancing. Their songs were entertaining and amusing as well as funky, songs such as “Cocaine Sandwich” and “Hit it from the Back.” My favorite song was “Sorry Michael, Screwdriver,” a song about Johnny being bullied as a teenager, and an unfortunate mishap with a screwdriver that ensued. The whole time, never breaking character, the members of Not Blood Paint continued to entertain everyone between sets as the Miliken family.

Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket

Not Blood Paint took the stage all dressed in drag to chants from the rest of the Miliken family (everyone in attendance) of “Mil-i-ken, Mil-i-ken, Mil-i-ken.” These Brooklyn via Michigan boys surely have attracted quite a ‘family’. Their live shows definitely need to be experienced to be appreciated. According to their website, “our shows are about bringing together people in a space and breaking it down…where rules are created on the spot, unspoken. A temporary tiny society where anything is possible.” Check out our recent interview and video premier of “I Am An Angel” here.