The Good Show Live Music Series
featuring the War Party, the Red 100's and Here Holy Spain
June 25, Lola's Saloon Sixth
2736 W. Sixth St., Fort Worth
There were all kinds of shows going on this weekend, but your rock 'n' roll dollars are usually best spent at the Good Show Live Music Series -- a monthly showcase, co-sponsored by DFW.com and hosted by Tom Urquhart and Tony Diaz of KTCU/88.7 FM's The Good Show, at Lola's Saloon Sixth -- and this week wasn't an exception.
First on stage was a punkish group called War Party, with Cameron Smith, Peter Marsh and Tyler Moore. There was touch of a Social Distortion sound to this outfit; they even announced that they were a punk band. Could be, but I felt the tempo needed to be brought up by about 50 percent (with the sole exception of DMSO by the Dead Kennedys, there is no such thing as a good slow punk song). Still, this was just the band members' fourth performance, and I'm eager to see where they take things.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a young band called the Frisky Disco -- a psychedelic rock group that displayed an outsized, sometimes outrageous energy. Listening to the Red 100's, the second act on Saturday's bill, I found myself wondering what is in the water in Funkytown these days. These guys had that same indescribable greatness as the Frisky Disco; and whereas Disco hinted at Zeppelin, the Red 100's conjured up memories of MC5. Bassist/guitarist Robbie D. Love seemed positively unhinged, climbing on the drum kit, bouncing around the stage and standing in the suitcase full of free CDs sitting on the front of the stage. Drummer Kyle Scheumack performed vocals. Lead guitar was held down by Raul Mercado, whose sound was distorted, erratic and blistering -- all the things rock 'n' roll should be. The band did a nitro-fueled version of Johnny Be Good, and probably a few other covers. Who could tell? And who would care? The band's bottomless pit of energy made me feel old, and their music made me feel young.
After such an electrifying performance, Here Holy Spain felt a bit more restrained. The band, which consists of Wes Todd (guitar, vocals), Erica Guagliardi (bass) and Scott Brayfield (drums), has a punk-influenced, rock 'n' roll. But even if the Red 100's were far and away my favorites of the night, the three bands at this Good Show displayed a sense of continuity and consonance -- it was an excellently chosen bill. I look forward to seeing Urquhart and Diaz attempt to top it next month.
Online: thewarparty.bandcamp.com
