Words and Photos by Alder Boutin
When people ask me about Um, Jennifer?, I always say they describe themselves with the catchphrase “trans slut rock” far better than I could describe them. On Friday, the duo embodied this phrase while opening for Deadbeat Girl in Philadelphia at God’s Automatic Body. This DIY venue is filled with eccentric decor – pink stuffed monkeys, paper mache clouds, a bingo wall with the center square reading “You’re gay (congrats!)” – that looks like an Um, Jennifer? project come to life.
On the heels of a successful debut album release with Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark, singers and guitarists Elijah Scarpati and Fig Regan played exclusively from the album’s tracklist. The excitement in their theatrical stage presence was contagious. During “Old Grimes,” Elijah pulled his pants to his ankles and danced around the stage in only his boxers before kneeling against Fig. He also proudly changed the lyrics from “six months” to “two years” in “Went on T,” indicating the updated amount of time since he’d started taking testosterone. Fig dramatically acted out the lyrics of “Fishy,” imitating tears before before snapping back to her spirited rendition of everything that makes her “the hottest fucking bitch in New York City.” With every line the crowd sang back to the band, their tones grew jauntier and their grins wider.
Eph See, who took the stage before Um, Jennifer?, played a groovy rock set highlighted by their smooth vocals (and bedazzled nails). Deadbeat Girl, the headlining artist, gave a performance that felt like a warm hug to everyone in the room. Their final song, “Who Are You,” stood out as a powerful bookend.
These artists’ mini tour comes to an end tomorrow in Boston, and you can catch Um, Jennifer? at Liberation Weekend’s Afters in Washington, DC this weekend.
Loudspeaker Collective 