Author: Jaret S. Young

Truth be told, I wasn’t even planning on writing a review of tonight’s show. By the time I arrived, I had already missed the opening acts and I was in a bad mood. Long story.

Besides, I had already seen TKK many moons ago back in the 90s. Twice. From the minimalist twin drummer assault to the sexy/sleazy cabaret, every TKK performance was different. And even though my memory from those free-spirited days during the Clinton Administration may suffer from, shall we say, substance-altered recollection, TKK brings back a great sense of nostalgia.

So my question was: How does the band hold up after 30 plus years? How much have they changed? How much have I changed? These are the things running through my mind as I walked into the Music Box on this Friday night.

My concerns were for naught. 

Not only does TKK still deliver the goods, but this was by far the best I’ve seen them live! 

The lineup is stripped down to the quartet of Groovie Mann, Buzz McCoy, Mimi Star and Justin Bennett. Simplicity works well for TKK in this straightforward approach. 

The set was comprised of career highlights that kept the crowd pleased, but this was no crusty nostalgic stroll down memory lane as much as a showcase of why the band has indeed endured for so long. There was nothing schmaltzy about this. Nothing over the hill. Not even the crowd, as many younger faces mixed in with the more obvious longtime fans.

Fresh energy was brought to long-standing classics with power and enthusiasm that newer bands could stand to take heed. 

You have to love the way Rudy Ratzinger keeps cranking them out. Since its 1991 debut, Ratzinger’s passion project :Wumpscut: has been on a prolific tear, cranking out albums and EPs at a pace that makes some artists green with envy. And it continues with Zuckerpuppe, the latest EP.

Now don’t get it twisted… just because :W: is prolific in output doesn’t mean that quality has been sacrificed. Far from it. Over these four songs, the listener will get the feel of a classic electro-industrial act from back in the day that simply has never lost its mojo.

Spoken word samples, vocals processed to an unintelligible degree, and hard-hitting dance beats all create a classic formula that – in the right hands – never gets old.

Additionally, each song is accompanied by an instrumental counterpart, which indeed allows for a different take and feel for the songs.

Long-standing :Wumpscut: should be satisfied with Zuckerpuppe, comfortable with the knowledge that there is more to come.

https://wumpscut.bandcamp.com/album/zuckerpuppe-bandcamp-edition

Unearthly Vessels hits the ground running with a Theta’s Twilight, their debut single. The Virginia duo strives to blend Darkwave, Goth and Electronic Rock. And overall the result has been successful. Somber lyrics, driving drumbeats and a dreamy production stylemake this single a worthwhile listen to fans of dark music. Fans of The Sisters of Mercy and Type O Negative would do well to pay attention and keep their ears open for future releases.

Composition: Joshua Morse & Scott Hall
Mix/Master: Kevin Moun

Joshua Morse: Lead Vocs/Guitar/Keys
Scott Hall: Backing Vocs/Bass

https://unearthlyvessels.bandcamp.com/track/thetas-twilight

Lyrics:
A lucid daze, a shadowed room
I saw you sitting there alone.
Eyes glaring red, soul bereft of life.

In that moment I saw the chaos of it all,
Unholy night, infinite darkness.
The elements torn apart,
Corrupting, primordial.

I burn in the fires of creation.
I drown in the waters of life.

I hear the dawn in your voice,
Pitch-black eyes that hypnotize.
You bind me in your twilight,
Show me the truth of your night.

Your form beneath the moonlight,
Your whispers, like honey in my ear.
Though the cup is overflowing,
Partake in the garden of life.

Nothingness transforms into a blinding image,
All things are created and destroyed by fire.
The heavens decay in their endless circle.
The gods lay broken amongst forbidden stars.

I hear the dawn in your voice,
Pitch-black eyes that hypnotize.
You bind me in your twilight,
Show me the truth of your night.

I hear you calling.
You speak of the beginning of time.
I hear you beckoning,
You speak of the end of days.

Unearthly Vessels – Theta’s Twilight (Official Music Video)

Having written about Gary Robert and Community before, I was excited to hear of a forthcoming release, with Black Panorama as its flagship single.

This time, GR&C have some fun with the time signatures to keep your ears piqued while delivering their trademark blistering guitar sound and driving rhythm, while the subdued baritone vocals float along over the energy delivered.

No one thing about GR&C makes their sound enjoyable. It’s the whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts that make Black Panorama another feather in the cap for this Missouri band. Black Panorama is a foot-tapping, fist-pumping tune that evokes elements of memorable hard rock and goth rock bands thrown together in a mixture that doesn’t seem hodgepodge, but rather makes the listener wonder why no other act has tried it up to this point.

https://garyrobertandcommunity.bandcamp.com/track/black-panorama

The folks at Modern.Wav have hit upon a novel idea for the San Diego area: a daytime goth event. And they went the whole route with two rooms and go-go dancers right along with a live performance. There, on Newport Avenue, surrounded by the colorfully assorted beach crowd, is The Holding Company. A very nice venue with its clockwork marquee, dual floors and sun deck. I have to admit that it was a bit surreal watching the regulars mingled with the semi nude ripped fishnet crowd, all while the Packers-Steelers game played on every TV.

When folks like myself reach “a certain age”, it’s nice to have the option of going to a daytime event and still enjoy a live show. Never mind the after party. Now the pregame is the happening event.

As a last minute late arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the event included a live performance by Straight Razor. But as the DJs wrapped up on the first floor main stage, we were soon treated to a hard hitting show.

For those of you who don’t know, Straight Razor is a musical project of actor Omar Doom, known for his work with Quentin Tarantino. Not only was he impeccably dressed and perfectly groomed, I was treated to some of the coolest mic stand poses I’ve ever seen.

Doom and his unidentified accompanist delivered a set that was on point with selections from their most recent release, Casualty, including their single The Curse as well as a cover of The Cure’s 100 Years.

Daytime goth events could be the new big thing. It’s nice to check out a show and still be home by 9:00.