Mark Heimer of No-Fi Soul Rebellion is a predator. His eyes stalk the audience behind lens-less glasses, meticulously selecting his next unsuspecting victim. What will be his weapon of choice? A sweat soaked cheek? His groin? Perhaps he’ll just unleash the full furry of his near six foot self.
When No-Fi’s set began at the Comet, August 5th, a crowd greater than or equal to the one inside began forming outside the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the madness happening behind the glass. Not to be misleading- No-Fi isn’t a traveling freak show. There aren’t accordion-toting dwarves or flame performers hanging from the rafters. However, the thrill and intrigue of a circus are there. No-Fi is just a damn good live show.
In the often too-cool climate of Seattle’s music scene, No-Fi is a breath of fresh air. No-Fi is comprised of a Mark, his wife Andrea, and a guitar that doubles as an mp3 player. They make up in showmanship what they lack in band members. In the first three minutes, Mark was standing on the half-wall that separates the show-goers from the unsuspecting passers-by seated at the bar just trying to get a drink. But just being on the other half of the divider didn’t mean you were safe. Mark can smell the fear of new audience members. Don’t know the songs? Mark will come hold your forehead together with his and belt the chorus of what is to be your latest favorite song. Too afraid to dance? That’s Mark’s cue to bring his sweet moves to you. Or next to you. Or over you. Or on you.
Judging from the Comet’s response, we were willing if not totally prepared. Before launching into “Too Mean” from their Veritable Rainbow of Songs EP, Mark said, “I want you to raise your hand if you’re a jerk. Come on people, this is Seattle! Seattle if full of jerks!” I was surprised to see a couple people initially raise their hands, but beyond shocked when more than half the audience had their hands in the air when he called out Seattlelites for being jerky.
No-Fi tried to personify their belief that “playfulness and sincerity can co-exist!” Regardless of what happened in the last 40 minutes or maybe because of it- being told to own up to character flaws or having a stranger violate acceptable standards of personal space- we all walked away feeling good about ourselves, each other, and especially about the two people who guided this journey.
