Headlining this event was a trio from Montreal called Gutter Demons. Gutter Demons brought their unique brand of rockabilly/psychobilly to the stage with an emphasis on psycho. Front man TöxiK- growls more than he sings while churning out piercing, twangy licks on his guitar. Meanwhile upright bassist Gutter Flipper, spun his bass around, but mostly straddled it as if riding a wild bronco. All the time his fingers manipulated the bass strings at lightning speed. R-1 on drums slashed with such energy sparks should have been flying. If this whole concert was a finely tuned race car, it started out as a smooth ride, but Gutter Demons took the wheel, burned rubber and flipped it over a few times before coming to a screeching halt. It was all the rest of us could do but wait for the smoke to clear before going home sweaty and gritty from a night of non-stop dancing. Gutter Demons are high on my list for a must see.
Preceding Gutter Demons was another psycho/rockabilly trio, but from LA. Gamblers Mark kept the sports car on the track full speed ahead with their fast paced surf guitar driven tunes. They even did a rockabilly version of The Special’s Gangsters, which surprisingly worked well. They even got a small but lively circle pit going for most of their set. For their finale they performed a hyped up guttural version of Rumble In Brighton Tonight, occasionally changing the words to Rumble in Seattle tonight. They didn’t even slow that sports car down before jumping out to let Gutter Demons take over. Gamblers Mark is, Dave-Vocals/Guitar, Danny-Upright Base/Back up vox, and Ricky-Drums/Back up vox.
Seattle’s own Hard Money Saints took control before Gamblers Mark and this was a time to lie back and enjoy a nice smooth ride and gaze at the scenery. Not a lot of fast songs from these guys, but they sure put out a lot of smooth melodic music. Their set was one to romance to, to slow dance to, until the end when they put their foot on the gas and let her rip. Hard Money Saints are always a treat. HMS are, Jack Rainwater- Shreddin Guitar and Vocals, Nich (Lil’ Dirty) Scott- Ol’ Pig Skins, Armondo Nienhuser- Slappin that Dog House Bass.
Henchmen came before HMS. This is a trio from California and they ripped it up full throttle with a singer/guitarist (Eric Razo) who was all over the stage with a voice of guts and gravel. These guys drove it fast and furious. The other two members of Henchmen are Steve Regon on upright bass and Adam Guerrero on drums.
Before Henchmen it was my pleasure to see Raw Dogs again in the same week. To continue with the sports car metaphor, these guys hopped into the car without opening the doors, revved the engine and never looked back! They ripped around corners, and burned rubber. Jerry Loveshaft DeVille (no mention of him being related to Cruella) had the wheel, but bass player Skwerll was constantly trying to wrest it away. While DeVille flitted about the stage at lightning speed, constantly growling and grunting into the mic, Sqwerll was all over his bass, dancing with it, riding it, and climbing on top and doing acrobatics. Joey Bones – Guitar/Vocals wore round-framed wire sunglasses almost the entire set and Ian “Bam Stoker” looked very much like the boy next door contrasting with the macabre looks of the rest of the band.
Opening the whole night up and easing the little sports car onto the track was a dude calling himself The Mean Street Meanie. This was just one dude with an acoustic/electric with a powerful voice and congenial manner. He stomped out some powerful twangs psychobilly style.
The show was not well attended. I’d guess maybe there were two-hundred in attendance. Psychobilly used to be huge here, but it’s fallen by the wayside. I hope the spark can reignite. This was a fun night.
For you psychobilly fans be sure to check out Zorch Radio at http://realpunkradio.com/.
– All photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
