Recap in Crayon: Ezra Furman, The Fights, and The Unknown Pleasures

Valued reader:Although we've been doing these for a while, I'll give you a quick explanation behind these "Recaps in Crayon."  I draw pictures of the bands I see in crayon; partially for the sheer novelty and partially because I cannot afford a camera to take to venues.  I hope it catches more of the live magic than a simple photograph.  If not, then hopefully you'll just find it funny that I spelled "The Fights" like a three year old.Friday night at Mike and Molly's brought Ezra Furman back to Champaign fresh off the release of his new album Day of the Dog.  The show began with the Chicago-based Joy Division cover band The Unknown Pleasures. I'm a senior in college.  Ian Curtis died well before I was even born, but I got the chance to see what Joy Division was like live.  The Unknown Pleasures were talented musicians, and their sound and stage presence mimicked Joy Division well.  Lead singer Steven Anderson could dance like Ian Curtis too.Local favorites The Fights were next.The first time I saw The Fights was at a house show last winter.  At the time, their lap-steel player's instrument was a floating-bridge guitar that he adjusted into a lap-steel.  I've seen them a few times since then.  They released The Fights E.P (which I am a huge fan of) back in the spring and own a real lap-steel guitar.  Everyone loved their performance, and they announced that they just finished recording a new album. I'm sure we will play it constantly on Pizza FM once we get a hold of it.After The Fights came headliners Ezra Furman and the Boy Friends.Ezra Furman released his brand new album Day of the Dog just this past Tuesday, and it's already one of my favorite albums of the year.  His live performance had all the energy of his recordings.  Furman took advantage of the intimate setting of Mike N Molly's as he interacted with the audience.  My friend also took note that Furman was a "cute boy."  The rest of the audience thought so as well since there were requests for Furman to take off more than just his sunglasses.  He did play "Take Off Your Sunglasses" along with a number of songs from across his seven year musical career.You can check out Day of the Dog this Sunday as I will be playing it on my 10pm radio show. Shameless plug.