Review: Here Come The Mummies at Musikfest Cafe

Here Come The Mummies, the purveyors of funky undead rock who have consistently given stellar performances since their first show at Musikfest three years ago, didn’t disappoint during their Musikfest Cafe show last week.  Comprised of musicians who wish to keep their identities ‘under wraps’ (some of them due to recording contracts), the band plays funk/rock fusion music wish suggestive, and sometimes downright dirty lyrics.

Their nineteen song set spanned from their first album, released in 2002, to their three EPs released this year alone.  Staples of their set like “Ra Ra Ra,” “Carnal Carnival,” and “Freak Flag” sounded as good as ever.  Though the band has noticeably gone through some personnel changes over the years, the still remain as lively and insane on stage as ever.  Playing to a crowded house, the Mummies have gained quite a following in the area, and for good reason.  It’s hard to find a band of this quality and stage presence, and even harder to find one that’s just flat out fun.

One of the more interesting songs they pulled out for this show was “Everything But,” which was heavily influenced by ska, a direction the Mummies don’t usually don’t veer into.  The song is of of their 2013 album Cryptic and was an enjoyable departure from their norm.  Other newer material they played, including “Kinda Lingers” and “Pull It Off” were both well-received and fit well into their repertoire, delivering double entendres by the dump truck load.  Even with a bevy of new material and multiple shows in Bethlehem over the years, Here Come the Mummies still deliver a hell of a show, and if you haven’t caught their act yet, do so next time they’re in town.

Openers This Way To to the Egress are a Bethlehem-based band we’ve somehow manage not to catch before.  They’re a rag-tag bunch of bandos, featuring a lot of brass and accordion.  Their mishmash of quality vocals, swing, blues, and Alex Meixner-like polka punk made for an entertaining set.  Solid sound, weird band, and probably worth checking out at some point.