Sunday, May 22, 2016

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkeybirds w/ The Tet Offensive 5/21/16 Cafe 9

Local opener Mr.Airplane Man was a female duo consisting of drums and guitar vocals. Decent songwriting and delivery gave them a Black Keys feel. They hail from RI, which I learned from the drummer at set break. She hesitated when pressed, to which I joked that she might be in a punk rock witness relocation program.
Next up was The Tet Offensive. Regional musicians consisting of a Nick Cave-alike singer who sang and prowled the area in front of the stage. On stage was a drummer (with a keep calm and love Poland shirt on) and an actual string quartet. Two violins, a viola, and a cello were the instruments. There would have been no room on stage for the singer without getting a bow (or elbow) to the face. These guys were great, even doing an Andrew Bird cover.
Kid Congo is a veteran of the LA punk scene of the 70s and 80s. I learn that he has played with the Gun Club, The Cramps, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. With a Latin Waitsian growl, KC was a sight to behold. Dressed in a Russian fur hat and bizarrely striped suit, KC and company plowed through a surf punk barrage. Their recent release La Arana is excellent.

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