After nearly five years I finally had the opportunity to see the Koffin Kats again. This time they played not in Seattle, but in Tacoma at cozy little dive called Jazzbones. This concert brought the triumphant return of Tommy Koffin on guitar.
They ignited the stage playing many favorites like Six Feet Under and my personal favorite, The Bottle Called.
Front man and upright bass player Vic Victor played his bass while standing on it, cradling it like a guitar, holding it above his head and often moving from one side of the stage to the other and never missing a note.
At one point Tommy & Vic swapped instruments in an almost sleight of hand move. This lasted about two songs before they switched back in another sleight of hand move.
Meanwhile drummer (E Ball Walls) held things steady with some manic slamming. I got slammed against the stage so many times, by the time the show was over I felt like I needed to seek out a chiropractor for an immediate spinal realignment. Despite the damaged spine, this was an incredibly fun night and it was great to see the Koffin Kats once again.
Playing prior to Koffin Kats was a band from Austin, TX calling themselves Hans Gruber & the Die Hards. These guys were amazing. First of all, main vocalist and trombone player Kurt performed wearing only a pair of Fruit of the Loom boxer shorts. He growled and screamed into the mic and constantly moved about the stage while alternately blowing a trombone.
Sax player and only female band member (Rosie) not only added succulent vocals, she also was non stop movement with squats and spins. The bass player and drummer (Danger & Chris) were equally whacky. These guys were part comedy, part band. At one point they tossed socks into the crowd to use as sock puppets. Socks subsequently flew out in all directions. They leaped off the stage and danced with the crowd without missing a note and ended their set with Rosie and Kurt behind the bar still singing and playing. I hope these guys come around again. They were a ton of fun.
Before the Die Hards was Seattle band Millhous. Apparently they were down a member for this gig but for a trio they packed a sucker punch. There was a lot of power coming off these guys. The fact that the entire block wasn’t reduced to rubble by the end of their set was nothing less than a miracle. Millhous consisted of drums, Rick Lydle, bass/lead vocal Ian McNamara and lead guitar/ back up vocal Travis Kerr.
Starting the night was another Washington band called Los Ocupados. This ska band was fronted by the cute and very charismatic Mari Wendler who not only had strong pipes, she played a wicked alto sax. I was surprised she wasn’t crushed under the weight of the charisma she exuded.
Combine this with catchy guitar hooks and a wildly energetic horn section and equally energetic bass, guitar & drums. Since this is a Seattle band I’m sure I’ll encounter them again. They were a gem. Los Ocupados, besides the aforementioned, consist of James – Vox and guitar, Brad – bass guitar, Tad – alto sax and backing vocals, Mike – trombone and Luke – drums.
Despite being battered and in need of a new spine, I am still in a good mood from witnessing four great bands put on four stellar shows.
Photos by Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
