Nurse Nikki's Neon Nightcrawl

So, I am looking to expand this blog a bit and I have asked some friends to do some show reviews since I normally don't get out more than once a week or so. I would like to do more to promote the cool local bands, so I'm hoping that I can get a few people to help out here.

My first bite was our good friend, Nikki Ruffling, scenester-about-town and regular photographer for this blog (at least for the bands that I play in). Nikki sometimes hits several shows in one night, so I hope that she will be able to write about much more than I can! Here's her first scene report:

WATER LANDING, NOT A ROBOT - HUNTRIDGE TAVERN, SATURDAY JUNE 15, 20129

Tonight was the return of this lineup to Huntridge after almost a 2 month hiatus. Huntridge Tavern is the oldest continuously operating bar in Las Vegas, with cheap drinks and a strong local clientele.

 First up tonight was Water Landing. This group formed in 2013 and bring a bit a fun and cheekiness to punk and rock. Inspired from bands like Violent Femmes, The Minutemen and Mike Watt, their ultimate goad is rocking good fun. Dressed like airline captains, vintage cabin crew, and maintenance men the band delivers on punk infused riffs and a little 80’s synth for good measure. The band started their set by doing some original tunes from their first album Cleared for Take Off. Then they jumped into some fun covers. Jules Phillips (keys, vocals) did a fantastic version of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, and they did the White Stripes hit, “Seven Nation Army”. Performing a couple “old but new” originals, they band had people dancing and singing along in the tiny tavern. Their signature song, “Devils” is a fabulous slow-fast-faster tempo tune that had people cheering and the band really peaking in their groove. It was a fast paced, fun and sweaty 45 minute set.

 While I didn’t stay for Not A Robot for more than a few songs, they are not a new group to me. A “supergroup” formed in 2018 and made up of Eric Phillips and Daniel Woodward from Water Landing on electric mandolin and bass, Rudy Thomas from 3D6 On drums, and Scooter Hyland from Price of Dirt doing lead vocals. They are a music mix of Anti-Folk, country and punk. They have held down the headlining spots of Double Down, Evel Pie and Huntridge. While they did do some covers toward the end of their set, the first few songs were all originals. “Simple Man” has a twangy country feel with a little yodeling added in for a special treat. “American Nightmare” was a commentary on current national and social issues.

All in all, it was a fabulous Saturday night at the Huntridge !