Clem Snide is the alt-country lyrical genius of Israeli-born Eef Barzelay. Given that Barzelay's band borrows its name from a William S. Burroughs character, it is no wonder that the campfire worthy, guitar picking tunes of Clem Snide pack a one-two punch combining wit and weirdness. Barzelay employs those same witty devices to segue from tune to tune, and to keep his audience engaged in the stories behind his sometimes perplexing word play.

The quirky, indie-rock trio has been touring in support of their latest album, The Meat of Life. The single "Wal-Mart Parking Lot" features lyrics like, "sunset in a Wal-Mart parking lot never looked so beautiful," and fits perfectly over the guitars - reminiscent of an acoustic, mellowed-out Vampire Weekend. The shifts from slow to upbeat and back again created a musical metaphor to accompany the emotion conveyed in the song's lyrics.

Barzelay doesn't take himself too seriously, poking fun throughout the set, and making jokes at his band's expense. He took a particular interest in jabbing at drummer Ben Martin, saying "He's looking to spend the last of his Bar Mitzvah money ladies, so this song is for you," before strumming the opening chords to "I Wasn't Really Drunk."

For an encore Barzelay came back out to croon solo with an acoustic and a smile, piping in with "a sad song, but it's a good one." He played another track off of Meat of Life, "Denver," only later to be joined by the rest of the band for a folk cover of Michael Jackson's "Man in The Mirror." If Barzelay wasn't so forthcoming it may be less obvious how he turns everyday life into his muse, but his quick wit and quips translate into an evening where life becomes a muse for his listeners, too.

http://www.myspace.com/clemsnide

Photographer: Tara Lacey