Teenage Werewolves, the Psyatics, Lost Cat at the Usual Place, Saturday May 7, 2022

 

Once again, promoter Ralph Carrera of Beau Monde Productions was good enough to add the Psyatics to this fun show at the Usual Place. Being a huge Cramps fan I certainly wanted to check out the touring Teenage Werewolves whether I was playing on the bill or not and the addition of LA's all-femme garage combo Lost Cat, along with hip DJ's and burlesque made it a full night of rock'n'roll insanity.

Unfortunately, the insanity bled over to the scheduling of the night due to unforeseen circumstances, with Lost Cat apparently getting lost on their way from LA and the Psyatics having to take the opening slot, even though we still played at about the time we were originally scheduled for. DJ Cromm was spinning some great cuts before out set and we had a good time with our usual mix of garage/jazzy/no wave/ whatever the heck it is that we do! The crowd was sparse but enthusiastic and a fun way to start the eve.

The headlining Teenage Werewolves came on after us with our drummer Ron once again earning the MVP of the evening by loaning his drum kit to both the TW's and Lost Cat. The Werewolves consist of a dynamic lead singer (Jack) who actually looks like a cross between Lux and Nick Cave (!) and who comes from Lux's hometown, with two guitars (Kent and Roy) - one of which was a cross between Bryan Gregory and Kid Congo while the other actually was made up as a werewolf (!), along with Nick Knox-ian drummer, Louie, and two stunning dancers/percussionists, Kitten (who performed with the Cramps themselves in the past) and Moana adding to the visuals and the mayhem.

The set list was made up of true Cramps classics, including ravers like "Potentate", "Wighat", "Teenage Werewolf" (of course!), "The Way I Way", "Goo Goo Muck", "Garbageman", "Black Leather Lagoon", "Drug Train", "New Kind of Kick" and plenty more. The lovely Kitten actually sang "She Said" - probably the first time I've heard a female cover that one! - and dueted with Jack on another that I can't remember off hand - and she had a fine voice, as well. Encoring with "Human Fly" and "Bikini Girls" - with the bikini clad dancers brandishing light-up machine guns, natch! They pretty much knocked it outta the park from start to finish - - fab playing from everyone, Jack is a terrific Lux-ish frontman, and they all looked cool, too! Definitely highly recommended for a psychotronic good time! (Yes, I took a ridiculous amount of photos - they were certainly highly visual!)

The between bands burlesque wasn't quite as organized as the last Beau Monde show that we played, with burlesque MC Kalani appearing to be a bit in her cups, as it were, and ad-libbing and inviting most of the audience on stage and trying to convince them to all participate in some burlesque, which everyone declined (thankfully!). We did get some dancing to a Lydia Lunch soundtrack, which was interesting, but the loosenes just added to the more casual atmosphere of the night.

Lost Cat were eventually found and ended up closing the night instead of opening it. I was pretty exhausted by then, as the show was already running late and we had also played an afternoon show AND my week had been super stressful (seems a theme with me when we play a Beau Monde gig, unfortunately) and I was only able to stay for a portion of their set, but dug the trio's stripped down, kinda low-fi garage sounds with simple but solid playing throughout and cool songs. Kiki (guitar), Angie (bass) and Lucy (drums) ran through numbers with titles like "Mental", "Bitch Fight" and "Losers" (giving you an idea of their attitude) along with covers from the Headcoatees, Coasters and the Runaways, showing that they have a wide range of influences, from punk, garage and glam. I would certainly dig seeing them again when I am more awake! Hopefully, they will return to Vegas before too long.

The night was still a barrel of fun despite the looseness and thanks again to Ralph for having us and bringing out quality touring acts!