The Swamp Gospel, the Psyatics, Scraper and Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Double Down, Saturday Feb 15, 2020

This Dirty Rock'n'Roll Dance Party made a special appearance at the Double Down for this show from San Francisco's post-punk Scraper along with 3 locals combos.

Opening the evening, as we do, was the Swamp Gospel, slingin' our own brand of soul salvation and redemption to the masses with an added bit of snake handlin' and strychnine sippin'! A little sloppy mayhap, but the early crowd - and there was a great group of folks there early - shimmied'n'shook and partook in the preachin'. We pulled out some older numbers to mix in with our brand new tunes that we are planning on recording in a couple fo weeks. Look for us to return to the Huntridge Tavern on March 7!

(Above SG pix by Nikki Ruffling)

(above SG finale photo by Brian Moy)

I had double duty at the Double Down once again and joined in with the Psyatics for their set of psychotically-tinged, garagey/no wave, with numbers ranging from their first album through the brand new record due out in mere weeks! With both Jack and myself on wireless guitars, few were safe from the rampaging riffage and noizey mayhem. The Psyatics will return to the Double Down this Friday the 21st!

(Above Psyatics photo by Nikki Ruffling)

Touring post-punk minimalists Scraper plugged in and tore through a set of high-energy, Wire/Urinals-esque punk rock'n'roll that got the crowd up on their feet and tearin' through the club. Simple but clever songs with basic, almost Monks-like rhythms behind fast'n'furious chording meant a bar filled with happy punk rockers! Apparently, the bassist'n'drummer are sitting in for the tour, but the fit in great and really added to the sound (despite some technical issues with the bass amp). I had no idea what to expect from these cats but was pleasantly surprised and even picked up their LP (more on that when I have some time).

Closing the night was local garage rock'n'roller Cromm Fallon with his latest combo, the P200,  backing up his songs from his new Electric Bloom album. Although the emphasis is on 60's styled garage music, there are a lot of other influences as well, from shoe-gaze to psych to jangle pop (Cromm played electric 12 string for most of the set) and the band was ace throughout. Cromm is a dynamic front man - he even puts down his guitar at times to show off some vintage Jagger-isms - and the songs are strong. They got the late night crew up'n'on their feet, as well and were a great end for the evening.

Thank you to Brian Moy and his Dirty Rock'n'Roll Dance Party and to the Double Down for another eclectic night of wild rock'n'roll!