Last night, March 21, I ventured out to Chop Suey to see the female dominated SO Cal group the Regrettes. This power punk quartet oozes charm and sex appeal as well as outstanding showmanship. Front woman Lydia Knight knew just how to work her audience. Her platinum hair was in French braids and she wore a green plaid mini skirt and black fishnets like a naughty school girl. She often leaned far into the crowd goading them to dance or to sing along. At one point she hopped off the stage and danced with the crowd (the club was packed), then crouched down, inciting several around her to do the same, and had everyone chant along with her, “Oh, baby baby,” before she leaped back onto the stage.
This is a young band and they’re cute. Bass player Sage Chavis wore closely cropped hair, vertical black lines surrounding her eyes and baby blue lipstick. She also played the entire gig barefoot. Drummer, and the only male in the group, Maxx Morando, slammed away so furiously I thought his arms were going to detach and spin across the club. Guitar player Genessa Gariano oozed charm and ground out power chords that are unmatched by even your most seasoned guitarists.
The encore consisted of Lydia coming out with a guitar and doing a solo number. She was now sans shoes with only her fishnets between her and the stage floor. For the second song, they did a rousing cover of Ballroom Blitz with the entire band. There wasn’t a still body in the house.
I was heartened to see the audience a healthy mix of really young (some looked under 20) to more seasoned concert-goers like myself. I doubt anyone in the Regrettes is even 30. I was also heartened to see such a packed club for this up and coming band. It was Wednesday night and throngs of people came out to see the Regrettes. This is a band that is going places and deservedly so.
Opening the night was another very young band calling themselves Mt Eddy. This Oakland quartet looked like they were barely out of high school, but they knew their way around their instruments. I arrived a bit late and their set was in full swing. The singer’s voice sounded nearly identical to Billy Joe Armstrong’s with maybe a hint of Robert Smith. I later learned that said singer was Jakob Armstrong, or Jakob Danger, the youngest son of the aforementioned Billy Joe. Their music sounded much like Green Day with maybe a bit of Jimmy Eat World, but with enough unique flavor to make it their own sound. The club was already packed and the audience showed great enthusiasm, even did quite a bit of moshing. I hope Mt. Eddy takes off. They show great potential. Besides Jakob on vocals and rhythm guitar, the rest of Mt Eddy is, Enzo Malaspina – lead guitar Kevin Judd – bass, back up vocals Chris Malaspina – Drums.
Judging by the amount of people packed into the club on a Wednesday night and the sheer enthusiasm of the crowd, I’d say indie punk is alive and well in Seattle.
– Photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
