It has to be difficult for a band to come up with an original or creative idea for a music video these days. Maybe what the Afghan Whigs did in their video for “The Lottery” (from Do to the Beast, their first album in 16 years) isn’t original or creative. But I haven’t seen anything like it.
“Meet Ryan O’Hara, our monitor engineer and cougar magnet,” explained lead singer Greg Dulli on the band’s official site. “He wakes up everyday with a smile on his face and something positive to share with you.
“Every night during the gig he performs a parallel show behind the board and it’s phenomenal to watch. Occasionally, I’ll forget to sing because I’m watching him turn into Bez from Happy Mondays. But that’s rock and roll for you. It keeps you young.”
Using GoPro cameras, the band filmed O’Hara grooving along to live performances of “The Lottery” while working the sound console at various tour stops. In watching the video, I’m curious if O’Hara actually knew he was being filmed or if someone had set those cameras up before the show without his knowledge.
I certainly hope it’s the latter, as that would make O’Hara’s dancing seem a little more genuine. I mean, what if he was working on his moves or planning out what he was going to do before each show? But even if O’Hara knew, I suppose it doesn’t matter since it made for some entertaining footage anyway.
