Dallas Review

October 16, 2000
Nikki Evenson
dallasmusic.com

Marvelous 3
Dynamite Hack, A

Trees
10.12.00

Touring in support of their latest CD ‘ReadySexGo’ (Elektra 2000) the night’s headliners took the stage, none other than the Marvelous…4? Yes is was a four-man band that performed, along with vocalist/guitarist Butch Walker, bassist Jayce Fincher and drummer Slug, J.J., a friend of the band, joined them on a second guitar. This allowed Butch more focus on the mic and allowed them to have a hell of a time on stage. Amid fog machines and extravagant lighting the Marvelous 3 are a band that can easily define ‘arena-rock.’ Covering all of their hits from ‘ReadySexGo’ including ‘Sugarbuzz,’ ‘Radio Tokyo’ and ‘Cigarette Lighter Love Song’ they also highlighted favorites from the ever popular ‘Hey!Album’ (Elektra 1999). This included ‘Write it on your Hand,’ ‘You’re so Yesterday,’ ‘Every Monday’ and ‘Freak of the Week’ which made many top five lists in ’99. Led by Butch, Marvelous 3 stunned the crowd with a real rock-star presence onstage. Vocally Butch was phenomenal, belting out no only perfect CD quality renditions of his own songs but slipped in chorus’ and verses from Rick Springfield’s ‘Jesse’s Girl’ during ‘Freak of the Week’, Britney Spear’s ‘Oops…I did it again’ (which as shocking as it was, sounded awesome!)

Then after sharing the only horror story from his happy youth, they played Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ Having the bond and telepathic connection a band needs onstage to be aware of what every member is doing during their set is obviously apparent in the stage choreography put together by the band. Taking every opportunity to use their guitar picks as make due hacky-sacks by throwing them in the air, kicking them, bouncing them off guitars and each other then catching them (sometimes in their mouth or on their face) was a fun game to watch. Meanwhile the crowd was overwhelmed with choruses, harmonies, foot stomping, hand clapping and body swaying relentless pop rock that never let up and continuously built with every tune. Each number had its own magic and was a glam tribute to music as the excited band enjoyed every moment as much as the excited crowd. More on the band can be found on their Elektra website at www.marv3.com. A full interview with Butch Walker will be published in the December issue of SickGRRL Fanzine.