~4/05/02-This
is an older show review that's been sitting in my big list of stuff to post for
awhile now. Tiger Army, Nekromantix, 800 Octane at the Meow Meow, Febuary 13th
2002.~
February
11-16, 2002
So
here’s PJ with four days off. What to do, what to do? Go to Portland for four
days and take in as much music as you can? HELL YEAH!!! Monday: GWAR, Tuesday:
Agnostic Front and TSOL, Wednesday: Tiger Army, Nekromantix, and 800 Octane!!!
Back to Bend for a show on Friday with Backwash, Thought Police, The Speds, and
The Triggers, then ANOTHER show on Saturday: Longshot, The Secludes, Dignen, and
Everyday Victory. ROCK & ROLL!!
Come
Wednesday evening I’ve seen none of the shows I’ve set out to see, and I’m
in front of the Meow Meow getting ready to go in. Ahh, to slack is good.
I head up the stairs to the Meow Meow, and can hear the rocking sounds of 800
Octane filtering down the stairs( I missed The Civies, D’oh!). There was a
pretty good sized crowd present, and I found myself stuck in the back of them
all. I’d shown up late and only caught a bit of 800’s set, which sucks
because they’re a great band, but I’ve seen them several times before.
(Speaking of this they're playing another show in Bend on the 17th of May. It
should prove to be a good one.)
As
the crowd thinned a bit I noticed a member of the next band setting up what
looked like a standing bass shaped like a coffin. This could be interesting, so
I politely pushed my way up front and stared as the Nekromantix
got their shit together to play. Indeed it was a coffin shaped standing bass,
played by Kim Nekroman (who also did the majority of the vocals), backed up by
Kristian Sandorff on Drums, and Peter Sandorff on Guitar. Having never heard any
of their stuff before I didn’t really know what to expect, and holy fuck was I
glad I made it to their show. Their performance combined with Tiger Army playing
later in the evening provided what is easily one of, if not THE, best shows
I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. The Nekromantix play Psychobilly. And
they’re from Denmark. Crazy Crazy Danes singing songs about Leather Nuns,
Murder for Breakfast, and The Loving Dead. Good god they rule. Nekroman builds
his own bass, and plays it like a man possessed. Slapping it, caressing it,
sitting on it, and at times standing on it completely. Check out their stuff,
you’ll be impressed. Great music, great guys. At one point the guitar player
broke a string and while it was fixed Nekroman asks the audience “Do you speak
Danish??”, immediately followed by “Do you eat Danish??”.
Their
set ended, and while waiting for Tiger
Army to set up I got spotted by a bunch of cool kids from Bend. Being the
great guy I am I left my perfect spot right in front on the left side of the
stage, and headed over to say hi to the gang where they were standing on the
right side of the stage. Foolish foolish foolish. Instead of being close enough
to be splattered with the bands sweat I was back far enough to only be able to
see Tiger Army from mid chest up. Aaaand I became a human barricade, leaving my
left side bruised the next morning. Bah. Then Tiger Army took the stage, started
playing, and I forgot what I’d been bitching about. Tiger Army put on an
insane show, getting the crowd fully excited, and making my ears ring for the
next 29 hours straight. These kids know how to rock, and their fans fully
appreciate it and let them know. This is the ONLY time I’ve not minded being
bashed in the side by a fan totally caught up in the music and moshing. I left
the show EAGERLY looking forward to their next Oregon appearance, and lo!
They’re opening for The Rev. Yes, the one and only Reverend Horton Heat!! I
caught the Rev a couple of years ago in Eugene with Los Mex Pistols, and he puts
on a killer gig. The show is coming up on April 29th, in Portland at
the Roseland, Tiger Army, Nashville Pussy, and The Rev. Tiger Army will be
opening, so be sure to show up early and catch them play. You won’t be
disappointed. Tiger Army Never Die.
