“A sold out punk show – that means with all the mohawks present, vision impairment is going to be a major issue.”
Kansas City’s Beaumont Club is a lovely venue, recently remodeled, but since it does host line and salsa dancing, the flat venue already makes it a little tricky to see. Then with a sold out line-up of Dropkick Murphys, Strung Out and Larry and His Flask, only one of the biggest punk shows of the season, average-female-reviewer-here was hesitant to go immerse myself in the sweaty throngs of tattooed, gauged earringed, mohawk-wearing muscle me
n that I pictured at this show. And while there were some who met my poor, misguided stereotype, the beauty of this tour is that it appeals to so many people of all walks of life: tiny girls, punk guys, indie kids even in plaid, etc. And with St. Patrick’s Day a few weeks away, green clothes and holding an Irish beer would have been the most apt stereotype.
Another apt stereotype was that the audience was either there for the Murphys or Strung Out, both bands having released several successful records in their 10+ years. So when Larry and His Flask took the stage, nobody quite new what to expect, but we all had faith the Murphys wouldn’t let us down in their selection of tour mates. Larry and His Flask was one spectacular surprise after another:
“Is that guy in the crowd with an upright bass?”
“Yup.”
“Is that guy standing the entire time wailing on that drum set and singing?”
“You betcha.”
“Did they just dedicate a song to all the grandmas?”
“Guess they did.”
“OMG. Did you see that guy flip the upright bass over his head?”
Enter speechless response here.
The band’s myspace doesn’t do them justice. This is something to experience live. The stage presence was insane. This was americana-punk-folk at its finest. At first, the upright bass player acted as a magnet. Those things weigh more than a small child and I’ve never seen anyone move with one as if it were as light as another guitar – and without missing a beat. Forcing myself to watch others in the band, I was impressed by the gang-vocals and the speed of the banjoist, but really left me speechless in the dust was the vocalist/drummer standing front and center. Those sticks were flying like lightning and the guy could stand a foot back from the microphone and belt out a chorus that could still be heard clearly over his powerhouse drumming.
The bar was set and it was set high. It was time to see how the veteran acts would stack up.
Strung Out was next at bat. The stage looked a bit more bare with the opening act’s bajillion instruments gone, but that was to Strung Out’s advantage. Immediately, as the first note was sounded, the singer was in the crowd. Vocals and heavy guitars practically shook the venue as excited fans reached their arms up and half moshed and half surfed. The world’s energy issues could be solved if we could find a way to harness the amount in the room at the moment of Strung Out’s set.
For those that have been living under a rock the past 14 years, Strung Out is like a punk meets heavy metal meets regular rock act – Avenge
d Sevenfold cites Strung Out as one of their primary influences. It’s a bit different than my usual type of music, but watching Strung Out, I got a little hooked on the mind-blowing guitar solos. You don’t see many of those in indie music where it’s just a bunch of light chords.
Following Strung Out, was everyone’s favorite Boston/Irish punk rockers: Dropkick Murphys. This band should be synonymous with awesome at this point in the game. Beers clanking, crowd-singing along to every word, it was like we were all friends magically transported away from Kansas City to an intimate pub in Ireland.The band was tight and sounded better than their recordings and countless radio singles. They, too, showed their fans love with constant time in the crowd. The piano had never been used so rockingly. It was just insane fun to watch and take part.
If you love Dropkick’s albums, you have to see the live show. It’s the way they’re meant to be experienced.
In fact, if you can (many dates have already sold out), try and get to a show on this tour immediately. You won’t regret it.
Writing by Bethany; Photos by Joshua Hammond
Pingback: Review of Dropkick Murphys Live KC Show — [ Irish KC ] » Kansas City Irish Festivals, Music, Pubs, & Events by an Artist in Ireland