Music News from New York and Beyond


Ted Leo incites inappropriate behavior

Posted on December 06, 2007

tedleolive2.jpgWhen I saw Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at McCarren Park Pool this past summer, a bikini-clad female jumped on stage, and grinded on the indie rocker for a full song. Like the professional he is, Ted played along, generating massive cheers from the audience (pictures).

Last night's show at Music Hall of Williamsburg, put Ted in a similar, yet less sexy situation. As he was tuning his guitar between songs, a drugged-up Jersey kid tossed his dirty workman's shirt on stage. Confused, Ted asked where the shirt came from, as he folded it into a turban/scarf. "Is this mine now? Do I keep this?" The thrower hopped on stage, chanting "New Jersey!" His regional claim stirred boo's among the Brooklyn crowd.

Rather than throwing the heckler off the stage a la Akon, Ted handed him a tambourine. The thrower, now shirtless, gladly accepted his temporary role in the band. Here's a bad cellphone picture:

tedleolive3.jpg copy

 

Oh, but friends, it didn't end there.

Our Jersey boy must have been hopped up on something strong. He violently banged on the tambourine, while throwing all of his money out to the crowd. In the middle of the song, he tossed the tambourine aside, ripped off his pants, and threw them into the crowd too, as if they were a pair of drumsticks.

Convinced he was invincible, the heckler paraded around the stage in his underwear. Testing the limits of Bowery Presents security, he grabbed the microphone and began slamming it into his forehead. A team of bouncers swarmed the stage, and dragged the guy out. Oh, but not before some male nudity. As bouncers manhandled him off stage, the heckler managed to remove his underpants, and fully expose himself to the crowd. Luckily for him (and humanity) my camera was already tucked away.

Aside from the antics, Ted Leo put on another amazing show, rocking out with his hits and semi-obscure covers. Due to a booking snafu and snowfall, the venue was not at capacity, yet the people who made it out saw a show they'll never forget.

Comments

  • nyctaper
    nyctaper posted on Dec 7 - 2007 01:15:36 PM

    I've posted a complete audio recording of this show at my site. nyctaper dot com.

  • fitz
    fitz posted on Dec 7 - 2007 07:01:30 PM

    hey i was at the show too, so insane. but i feel lame that i didn't know that one cover that had everyone screaming something to the effect of "let me out!?" during breaks. if you happen to know what im talking about or if you know where i can find the set list, id appreciate it.

  • sothere
    sothere posted on Dec 10 - 2007 12:52:43 PM

    Heres a clip of "Naked Guy" at the ted leo show:

  • sothere
    sothere posted on Dec 10 - 2007 12:54:45 PM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-95_2rzSfo