Crosseyed & Painless: A Tribute to the Talking Heads

Even though most of the music of the Talking Heads was created over 40 years ago, it is anything but nostalgic. It still feels so ahead of its time, as if it was created by aliens who briefly graced us with their presence on this planet. Despite the band’s immense popularity, the music still has an underground feel, transporting listeners back to grimy dancefloor of CBGB in the late 70s. Lots of bands cover the Talking Heads, but few can truly the capture the complete experience of what it felt like to be immersed in the sexy, groove-laden journey of an entire show. Enter Crosseyed & Painless….

On the previous three occasions this band has visited the Crazy Horse, they have whipped the place into a frenzy with their ferocious take on the Talking Heads’ extensive catalog. They play all the hits, the best songs from Stop Making Sense (their seductive take on “Slippery People” might find you resisting the urge to take your clothes off) and the deep cuts (Have you heard any other bands cover “Sugar on My Tongue?”). They transmit the essence of the sound, but they do it in their own creative way; weaponizing their off-the-charts musicianship and charismatic flair. We couldn’t think of another band we were more excited to launch us into 2027.

Spearheaded by the jazzy, buttery, razor-sharp guitar stylings of Chris Zanardi (Five-Eyed Hand, High Beamz) and ultra-funky, organ-swirling, top-hatted ringmaster, Jordan Feinstein (Stu Allen, Jay Lane), Crosseyed & Painless taps into an oceanic well of funk, groove, world beat and electrifying rock that defines the essence of the Talking Heads.

Naturally any Talking Heads tribute band is only as good as its David Byrne and there are few more dazzling than Jefferson Bergey (Freestone Peaches). Sure, he’s got knockout pipes and tasty guitar licks in spades. But it’s the charismatic x-factor and overall stage presence which takes the vibe to 11. Wait until you see him do the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love.”

You know how quintessential the rhythm section is to unlock the richly layered, hypnotic effect of the Talking Heads. Behold the interwoven alchemy of this three-headed juggernaut, starting with percussionist and human embodiment of infectious positivity, Brian Rogers (Izabella). When it comes to bass, you can’t do any better than Angeline Saris (Ernest Ranglin, Zepparella). She takes the Tina Weymouth influence and elevates it several notches with complex precision and relentless elasticity. Sealing the deal is the propulsive force of Alex Bowman (Chum) on drums. This feels like a powder keg ready to explode as this super group channels their fresh take on some of the greatest songs ever written.