Several months have passed since I last attended a concert. Most everyone who came through town I’d already seen many times and I longed for something new. That opportunity came when I learned the HorrorPops were coming on February 7th. After a seven-year hiatus, the HorrorPops were returning. I first saw them live in 2003 and then again at Warped Tour a couple years later. I was all set to see them at Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival but they cancelled last minute after their touring vehicle broke down. So this concert was long overdue.
The HorrorPops are fronted by the very charismatic Patricia Day, who played a mean stand-up bass while belting out songs with a gutsy songbird voice. Accompanying her is Nekroman from the Nekromantix and Niedermeier on drums.
While the HorrorPops may have been absent from the scene for nearly a decade, Seattle had not forgotten them. The tiny El Corazon was packed like proverbial sardines. Practically everyone sang along to all their songs. A few times I thought my legs would be chopped off at the hips I was bounced into the stage so often.
The highlight of the show was during “Psychobitches Outta Hell” when Day and Nekroman switched instruments. She took over on guitar and he on stand-up bass. The crowd went wild. Then they switched back.
One of their final songs was “Walk Like A Zombie” and another song that ignited the crowd. It’s one of my favorite songs too. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it is to have the Horrorpops back in action and I hope I don’t have to wait another 15 years to see them again.
While the HorrorPops were of course the main course of the night, they weren’t by far the only band playing. The Funhouse next door was hopping so I managed to part the throngs and catch Seattle’s own Kids On Fire. These guys would be more aptly named Kids On Inferno. They are that raging hot. Their drummer, Kevin LaBarre was as much hair and tattoos and his red locks spun around like a lit firecracker while he slammed away like a crazed demon. Jonny Larson- vocals & guitar, Mikey Haha – vocals & guitar, Sid Broderius – Bass & vocals, created a punked up, speeded up, raunchy brand of punk that should have set the entire venue on fire.
After their set, I wound my way back to the El Corazon side of things and this time had to part the Red Sea to get back to the front of the stage. This was such an arduous task I decided to stay put for the remainder of the night and not return to the Funhouse. Within a few short minutes the Quakes hit the stage. This power trio hails from Phoenix and has been a band for more than two decades. But this was my first time seeing them. I was not unimpressed. They started their set with a psychobilly cover of the Stones’ “Paint It Black.” That song is one of the finest and most iconic rock songs ever and these guys did it total justice. Led by the platinum-haired Paul Roman (Guitar/Lead Vocals), he was seldom in one spot for more than a second as he riled the crowd into a frenzy. Stand-up drummer Juan Carlos kept a manic but steady beat and charmed everyone with his infectious smile and undying charisma. Wes Hinshaw- on slap bass rounded out the band’s sound that was psychobilly with some blues overtones to some more pop flavors. They even performed two synth songs from the eighties all done up with a psychobilly motif. These guys cooked on all burners and I will surely see them next time they grace a Seattle stage.
Starting the night was Franks & Deans. I’d seen them once before nearly three years ago and was very impressed. I was even more impressed this time. Franks & Deans is a band you’d love to have at a party. Their set was one wild party enhanced by the ever so talented Nicole Muse, who combined classic burlesque and dirty dancing. She tantalized, she teased, and she quite nearly stole the show. Franks & Deans hail from Las Vegas and besides the aforementioned Nicole Muse, are comprised of, Rob – Vocals / 4 string, Pip – Drums / Backing vocals, Hoss – Guitar/ Vocals, and Sampson – Guitar/Vocals. The club was already packed and they were ready for fun. Franks & Deans definitely provided that and warmed them up good and hot. Their set included covers of the Dead Kennedys’ Too Drunk To Fuck and Police Truck and also a Social D cover (“Born To Lose”) which segued into “Hello, Mary Lou.” They’re as much hair as they are musicians and pure, unadulterated entertainment.
February 7, 2020 will go down in my books as one of infamy. I not only got to see the Horrorpops again, I got to see a couple old favorites and was introduced to the Quakes who will become another favorite. My body may ache afterward, but the music makes me young again.
– Holly Homan
