This was all ages, which I usually shy away from due to god-damned moshing little teenyboppers ruining my headbanging good time, but this wasn't really a metal show so I figured I'd be alright. Some young punk got bounced because he didn't know how to handle his shit, his loss. Other than that this was really a fun evening.
I've been trying to no avail as yet to get into the Golden Animals per their Bandcamp, and you know how sometimes the band needs to be seen to be heard? That was this time. Straight garage-psych going on, straight out of 1967. Sounded like the Doors fronted by current Dax Riggs for my money, which was incredibly interesting to listen in on. Their short set served me well enough to thank the lead axemen and purchase an album from him.
Well, did he show? Was he with it? What happened?! Hush yourselves. Yes, Roky showed. Yes, he played. All electric set, with a big band filling out his sound. An "oh Yeahhhh" introduced a famous song that streches back 5 decades practically, and the crowd erupted. I've not heard much outside of Elevators stuff, but man, this 70? something was on vocally last night. Sort of some concoction of blues, psych and garage, again, with a full sound. Roky had an electric on him the entire set, which he played sparingly, choosing mostly to sing lead or harmonize. I don't know what kind of guitarist the man used to be before his struggles with....life, but he seemed not even in the position of rhythm guitarist. Moreso just weaving in and out of his own chords whenever he felt the need. I wondered afterwards: why does everyone speak so highly of this musician? His playing seemed altogether lazy, but he did sing a lot, and fuck, I don't think I could do that at that age, so who the hell am I. I of course, having gone through my own struggles with mental illness and ECT, feel kinship to Roky and have maybe even understood the man before his music. He seemed happy and with it enough, and from what biographies I've read, that's quite an improvement. I look back now on how long, the 3 decades I lost to my struggles, and the fact that I'm 30 years old humbles me: Roky's been battling this shit forever. He is my forbearer. I walk the steps he laid down.
Not a single ablum for sale, and I was very ready to finally support this man proper last night. They had 30 dollar shirts, but I have way too many tees already and that's a bit steep for a tee in my book. I understand union transfer isn't a dive bar, but prices don't need to be so high for a 20 dollar ticket already. I'll look into further dates as his mental health improves; I'd like to see a more acoustic affair frankly. All in all though a great set.
Lastly then, I have to thank Andy/ex Black Pyramid, for his recommendation of last year's Indigo Meadow by The Black Angels. I delightfully picked up my copy last night, and thoroughly enjoyed the heavy, psych-raga-garage-blues stew they all threw down. I'm pretty sure there were at least 6 people on that very lit stage, and half of them switched instruments every song so I had no idea who normally plays what but all I was left with feeling was the sensation that these were very talented musicians at the height of their powers. An axe came down for a 12-string tuned to raga, which was really cool. Thumping bass lines, organ, keys, they had it all.
People are telling me nows the time to catch Roky, so I thought I would, and it wasn't anything I wouldn't hear again, to put it that way. If you are at all interested in the roots of garage psych, go see Roky. The Black Angels are just the headlining icing on the proverbial cake.
Over and out-
Words: SabbathJeff