Birdmonster w. The Sammies @ Black Cat, 9.4.06

Energy is change as much as energy is action. Energy is everywhere during a Birdmonster set, and it is a derivative of their frantic tempo changes. The force with which these changes are executed and delivered is masterful. From the desperation in the vocals to the driving hammer of the drums it is an ever-changing crash of sonic waves. The kids are dancing, the band is lost in their art, everyone is sweating, and it makes you wonder why there are only 30 of us enjoying this magic.

Their live set is a full blown, straight forward, rock assault. Every nuance is perfectly exagerrated. The build-up to the chorus in "Balcony." The hurricane riff that opens "Resurrection Song." The hectic ebb and flow in "All the Holes in the Walls." They are physically contained on stage, but their presence and sound attacks you. It is palpable to the point of being overwhelming. And it is fun as fuck.

I missed them the first time around, but Top was there, banging away on a tambourine on stage, to the point of having a sore hand for days afterward. He couldn't stop telling me about how great they were, how much fun it was. Part of what makes it so fun is seeing how much fun the guys on stage are having. They are fucking around between songs, laughing, dedicating "Resurrection Song" to Steve Irwin, telling the crowd how much they love playing DC, crashing into each other during their guitar breakdowns and bring the boys from The Sammies on stage.

The Sammies established a perfect pre-cursor for the gentlemen from San Fran. They are young, have monster Southern accents, and have an unbelievable drummer that almost steals the show. Everything from their Mo-Risen debut translates great in the live setting. When they started there were about 5 or 6 of us, but soon the bar poured in and by the end of the set they had the Labor Day rock refugees bobbing their heads and contemplating a CD purchase. Bumping into the bass player and lead singer at the Waterworld pinball machine on the way out and I mention that the debut is great and I love the range of influences. I mention one track that reminds me of the B-52s and the frontman notes that they didn't play it tonight, but yeah, a ton of influences. Next time.

Post-show Birdmonster are engaging and disoriented all at once. You get the feeling that they left it all on stage. They are completely soaked in their sweat, smiling and buzzing about. I talk Omar Rodriguez-Lopez with the guitarist, DC with the frontman. The same two guys who were going over the setlist behind my girlfriend and I after The Sammies set. I overheard them debating the presence of "Resurrection Song." I let them finish hashing out the plan of attack on a mini legal pad piece of paper. I turned and asked if it made the cut, he nodded, said "yeah" and shook my hand and I told him I was looking forward to it.

Backstage at the Black Cat is great for this. You hang out after the show and can say "thanks" or ask the band if they remember a crazy ass kid playing tambourine with them on stage last time or tell the drummer that you dig the At the Drive-In t-shirt he is rocking. The bands don't walk backstage (they are backstage) they simply hop off the platform and they are right there. Bands like Birdmonster and Cold War Kids are built for this. The intimacy of the setting makes the frenzy on stage the only reality you know. All of your thoughts and energy are focused on the band and its music because you have nowhere to turn. I simply can't get enough of seeing small bands rock the walls off of the Black Cat. If you don't have the debut albums from The Sammies or Birdmonster they are highly recommended. As for the live show, well, that is recommended, too.

Birdmonster
Setlist:
"Ball of Yarn"
"'Cause You Can"
"Skeleton Suit"
"Balcony"
"The Bar in the Back of the Basement"
"Alabama"
"Resurrection Song"
"Ice Age"
"Spaceman"
Encore:
"All the Holes in the Walls"

The Sammies
Setlist:
"Comin' Out Wild"
"Let It Go"
"In The Basement"
"Golden Sun"
"Caretaker"
"Kings of the Hoedown"
"Nurshka"
"For John"
"Falling Out"
"Trainwreck"