Some may say that combining three vastly different bands of entirely variant genres into one night is a bad idea–the wait for a headlining band is sometimes excruciating even when the acts leading up to the anticipated event are talented, but it is even worse so when their vibe isn’t exactly what you signed up for–but Rat Doctor and Tennis System’s performances did everything but conflict stylistically in their contributions to the aura of the night.
Photo Miranda Moses
Rat Doctor, a young psychedelic rock group from Fort Collins, charmed the room with their angelic blues undertones and playful presence. The five-piece band blended in sync with each other as Terrah Schultz, vocals and tambourine for the group, floated across the stage with percussive dance moves whilst producing powerful harmonies with guitarist-singer Alcario Artuso. The team entertained with titles such as Watch, Learn, and Trippin’, and ended their set by sharing new, never before performed music with their adoring hometown crowd.
Photo: Miranda Moses
Tennis System, a Los Angeles-based three-person ensemble, took the stage following Rat Doctor in stark sonic contrast. With a refined punk sound and resistance to latency, the band’s head-banging riffs took the slowly growing crowd on a ride of energetic rifts and otherworldly visuals. According to their Bandcamp website, “Tennis System once had a reputation for shutting down shows with their relentless wall of noise. Fast-forward two years and fans are flocking to their noisy, dreamy pop – think remnants of Nirvana and the Jesus and Mary Chain, with hints of the romanticism that makes Wavves and Best Coast so addictive.” Cloaked in red light, guitarist and vocalist Matty Taylor led songs from the group’s EP, P A I N, as bassist Sam Glassberg ripped through the stage, jumping off speakers and mirroring drummer Garren Orr’s contagious enthusiasm.
Photo Miranda Moses
The night began with a trickling of attendees, only to become an appreciable week-night crowd by the time the headlining duo El Ten Eleven took the stage. With their 10th record recently having been released, bassist and composer Kristian Dunn and drummer Tim Fogarty wordlessly spurred fans into a euphoric state with relentless loops of symphonic ambient vibration cultivated by years of experience. Both men brought with them an exciting proficiency, with Dunn switching between guitar, bass, and double-neck bass and Fogarty’s un-wavered concentration. Their new album, Banker’s Hill, “explores the paradox of beauty in anxiety, the importance and effect of family, and the fleeting possibility of satisfaction.”
Photo: Miranda Moses
Upon announcing that they would play their last song of the night, enthusiastic patrons began shouting their favorite anthems at the band. Among the suggestions, one admirer shouted at Dunn, “You’re amazing!” The bassist quickly humored the audience.
“You’re awesome too!” countered the musician. “Or maybe not. But right now, our relationship is pretty good.”
Photo: Miranda Moses