Prick Livingston, We Presume

With a name like Mongo, the North Miami fourpiece probably gets its share of "What's that mean?" and "That's the guy from Blazing Saddles, right?" The real question, of course, concerns the indie-rock band's take on its chosen genre, which runs the gamut from midtempo, Guided by Voices-like rock to...

By Jason Budjinski

November 23, 2006

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With a name like Mongo, the North Miami fourpiece probably gets its share of "What's that mean?" and "That's the guy from Blazing Saddles, right?" The real question, of course, concerns the indie-rock band's take on its chosen genre, which runs the gamut from midtempo, Guided by Voices-like rock to rootsier, soul-filled tunes, à la Elvis Costello or Graham Parker. But back to the original matter. Perhaps frontman Prick Livingston can shed some light on Mongo's etymology. "The name is for big dumb rock," he says, adding that it's "also the Blazing Saddles guy who punched the horse out. [And] there is a biblical verse, something about 'Anyone who would seek to be wise should become a fool' or something like that." Or, as the group's fans would argue, Mongo's the name on the 11-song disc The Revenge of Mongo, which pays homage to a "Bi-Polar Girlfriend," "Bookish Thugz," and '80s pop culture. Spicoli rules, bra.

Mongo joins the Band of Brothers and the Dorigo Brothers on Tuesday, November 28, at the Poor House, 110 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The show starts at 10 p.m. Admission is free. Call 954-522-5145.

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