Monotonix, Black Eyes and Neckties, and Loving Thunder @ the Comet

Last night was easily the best show I’ve seen so far this year. Bass and Drum duo Loving Thunder opened with solid DFA79 dance rock tracks. The texture on the bass was perfect - just the right amount of distortion, and incredibly full sounding.

On an normal bill you would be hard pressed to find another band that gives as much energy as Bellingham’s Black Eyes and Neckties. During the second song the legs came out from under the keyboard, leaving singer Brad Lockhart to sing the rest of the track on his back using his legs as supports. The band threw themselves carelessly around the stage as the sold out crowd danced and sang along, giving them a hell of a reception. The last song devolved into a striptease, the band ending up a sweaty heap on the ground. In all, it went about as well as any band could hope for their Comet debut. I had heard Monotonix was good, but I had my doubts it was going to be all that much better than what I just saw.

Turns out I had no idea what myself or the Comet was in for. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band work a crowd or destroy a bar like Monotonix. They set fires and climbed the walls. The singer spent most of the show crowd surfing or climbing any available surface. He played the kick drum with his face. They set more fires. Sweat everywhere. Everyone was dancing, crowd surfing, participating. The drummer played his drums on the crowd. One of the light fixtures was torn from the ceiling. The management was not impressed. Everyone else had the time of their life. It was incredible. I forgot rock shows could be like that, if I ever really knew in the first place.

More photos after the jump.

Black Eyes and Neckties:

Monotonix:

Higher res versions of these pictures can be found here.