For a band whose most obvious touchstone is folk, Little Teeth's live show sure is punk as fuck. There's no fanfare and no pretense, just a wild, spastic explosion of edgy, experimental folk musicianship. Each member plays multiple instruments, and plays them with a reckless, passionate exuberance that is enthralling to watch.

Singer Dannie Murrie, for instance, howls and screams and sings her ass off while playing guitar or banjo or mandolin and all the while stomping her feet because she wears tambourines around her ankles. And that's just one damn member of the band. There are three of them, each changing instruments nearly every song and throwing themselves into the music with such genuine fervor that it is as much fun to see as to hear.

Yet for all the musical careening and instrument changing and shouting and stomping, there is a meticulousness to the arrangements and a virtuosity to the performances that is carefully crafted.

Little Teeth's music is sort of quirky folk like Devendra Banhart or Joanna Newsom, but the band is most definitely creating a sound completely separate from the psych folk scene in the Bay Area. Murray's vocals are a little too urgent and earnest, not pie-in-the-sky dreamy enough, to really fit in with that crowd. Plus, Murray and bassist/guitarist/vocalist Andy Tisdall aren't afraid to explore epic guitar riffs and slightly off-key vocal harmonies, while the band as a whole - which also includes Ammo Eisu on keys, cello, drums, and other various instruments - explores twee-ish indie rock, raging folk, and eccentric experimentalism in equal measures.

The songs on their demo adequately capture many of the bands' most endearing qualities. "Japanese Candy" showcases Murray's desperately earnest, unpredictable vocals against a driving acoustic guitar; "Between My Ears" features rambling melodies backed by catchy banjo and organ interplay; and "Sideways" is an indie-pop keyboard-driven tune.

Little Teeth is working on their first release, and it promises to be quite an excellent collection of songs, judging by their live show and the demo tracks. Though you can practically see them flailing around and stomping their feet when you listen to the demo, this is one band that must be experienced live. For one thing, until the album comes out  live is the only way you can hear a full set of the far-ranging band's music. But more importantly, it is the only way to properly feast your eyes and ears on the unconventional brilliance of Little Teeth.

 [Mike G.]

Check out our live review of Little Teeth at the WireTap Music launch party !

[STREAM] Little Teeth: Various Tracks