I took my newest cat in to get neutered on Tuesday. Things went great, and I was sent home with the instructions to keep Judge Jackson Monroe, the 13th, calm and to keep him from jumping too much so he could heal. I got him home, and what’s the first thing he did? He jumped on the counter, then to the fridge, then back to the floor just to rough house with the other cats in the house. I was stressed and started thinking I should stay home to keep an eye on him and ensure he was okay, but my gut said that Tuesday night at Zhora Darling was a show that I could not miss. I’m so glad I always go with my gut (and, yes, Judge Jackson Monroe, the 13th is fine and still not taking it easy, but, hey, it’s his world; I’m just living in it).
Local duo E.T. was the first to perform. I would say first to take the stage, but that would be a lie as this duo performed from the floor just in front of the stage. Their set-up was simple enough- a table filled with electronic equipment and a microphone set off to the side, but it’s what they did with this simple-enough-looking set-up that had me floored. This synthpunk duo made up of E and TK, performs about aliens and the alienated. I love aliens, and I know that they are real, but for those non-believers out there, just listen to E.T.’s music. It will convince you otherwise because it is truly out of this world. From indescribable tones to slightly ununderstandable words, this band is chaotic, but it’s a controlled kind of chaos. Their sounds float through the air in an almost spastic way as if mimicking the movements of a UFO. The music of E.T. is infectious, and it makes you move, but it’s also something that is so easy to get wholly lost in as you try and figure out how certain noises are made. I hope you never figure it out because that mystery just adds an extra layer of perfection to this group that I hope I get to witness again soon.
Denver-based church fire was next, and saying that this trio brought a top-notch performance to the intimate Zhora Darling space would be an understatement. From the beams of light set up on the stage to the glittery mask that the drummer had on to the way that vocalist Shannon Webber seemed to play up the dramatic side of things, I was sold instantly. church fire is more than just a band that you listen to; you watch them. Sure, the blinding lights brought an extra special sauce to the night that made them stage out on the four-band bill, but it was more than that. I loved watching Shannon creep across the stage before pausing to let out a guttural howl while fiddling with something next to their keyboard. I have no clue how some of the electronics behind this band work, but I know that it created a unique sound that I found so intriguing. Beyond all of that was the energy of this band. Although this was a good-for-a-Tuesday kind of turn-out, it probably could have been better, but don’t tell church fire that. From the first second of their set, until the final note was left hanging in the air, this trio gave us everything they could, and it ended up being one of those sets that I will not forget about any time soon.
Following the razzle-dazzle of church fire was the more subdued but just as insanely amazing set from Denver-based Moon Pussy. The name is oddly abrasive in a way, but it fits this band. Their set didn’t have the same insane lighting rig as church fire, yet I was just as captivated by this trio. Their overall sound was more standard, with clear composition that leans into something more commercial, but this band is far from anything you may hear on the radio. From primal screams to syncopated rhythms, Moon Pussy was stylistically all over the place, going from grunge to metal to experimental, all in the blink of an eye. Not only was the sound of Moon Pussy captivating, but watching this band was a thrill, but not for the reasons you may expect. The three members of this group clearly have fun doing what they are doing. They definitely are not on the road to make it big but, instead, to share live music with anyone who will listen, and if it falls on deaf ears, they will share it with themselves. There was just something so hard-working and passionate about their sound that it was impossible to turn away for fear of missing one of their smiles or a tortured joke that was presented between tracks by vocalist/ bassist Cristina Cuellar. It was a seriously fun set but also a seriously good one.
I’m not one for super droney music, and I could see how some people may consider local duo DUG to be just that, yet I’m obsessed with this band right now and can’t seem to get enough of them. I have written about this duo a couple of times, so I promise to keep this fairly brief and try not to repeat myself, but, holy cow, I can not use the phrase “wall of sound” enough when it comes to this group. Although drums, guitar, and vocals, this duo has a way of making you feel every single vibration of every single cymbal hit. They make it so you feel the sludgy strums on the guitar down to your bone while every word being shouted races straight to your soul. It’s intense, which I love, but it’s also threatening in a way that I more than love. There’s something about seeing this band perform that will give you chills. It could be the way they aren’t afraid to play with silence within their songs or the way that they build up so much tension to the point where it can make you, the listener, feel uncomfortable. Whatever it is, it has me hooked, and although I’ve seen DUG a couple of times now, I hope to see them again soon.
Looking back on Tuesday night, I can’t believe I ever debated bailing on this show to keep an eye on the cat. Judge Jackson Monroe, the 13th is fine. I know that and knew that in my heart of hearts Tuesday afternoon. I’m just thankful that I went with my gut, and my gut took me to Zhora Darling on Tuesday night.
Line Up:
Venue: Zhora Darling
Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable
Average Age of the Crowd: 42
Crowd Surfers- 0
Stage Divers- 0
Mosh-ability- 3 out of 10
Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0
Broken Bones- None Noticed
Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing
Fights- None Witnessed
Pukers- 0
Passed Out People- 0
Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0
How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-
E.T. – 0
church fire – 0
Moon Pussy – 0
DUG – 2
Celebrity Sightings – None
Overall Score – 8.7 out of 10
Show on Deck — Seer / Nursing Death / Estranged Flesh / Stud
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