The Implosions, VaVoom, Gang Bang, Dad's Weekend at Red Dwarf Saturday August 10, 2025

 

We're trying to make up for lost time and get out and see shows again and this was another jam-packed night of bands that we wanted to check out so off we went for drinks'n'pizza at Red Dwarf!

Opening the evening was an offshoot of the Hideaway called Dad's Weekend, a co-ed combo (a theme for the night, apparently) with guys on drums'n'guitar and gals on stand-up bass'n'vocals. So, a little rockabilly (including a 50's styled take on "Cherry Bomb"), a little punk, a bit of surf, a bit new wave and whatever else they decided to throw into the mix, including a mashup of "Wipe Out" and "Batman" for their finale. I think this was their debut and a few bits'n'pieces could be tightened up, but this could become a combo to watch.

A surprise 3 song set from a new Vegas super group called Gang Bang included members of VaVoom, the Implosions and Dad's Weekend with three female bassists. Purposefully silly, they literally "meowed" their way through "Tequila" and "California Sun" before Adrienne of the Implosions joined them to actually sing for Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl". Overall, totally goofy but actually interesting if they wanted to get serious with it.

VaVoom started out a couple of years ago, just as we kinda quarantined ourselves for various reasons so this was our first chance to check them out. Ex-Mad Daddy's drummer Jomar propels the three piece with his wife Kelly on bass and guitarist Chad. There's a bit of surf, a bit of garage, a bit of Mad Daddy's-ish Crampsian sounds (I think there might have even been a Mad Daddy cover in the set), and even a bit of rockabilly (Hasil Atkins' "The Hunch"). Jomar and Chad divide the vocals and they definitely have their fan base who were out in force this eve!

Our pals and local celebs the Implosions closed the night with their rockin' brand of garage mixed with Cramps-like spooky/fuzz fare. The set did not vary wildly from the great set at the Swan Dive last week, although they did throw in a couple new/different tunes to change things up a bit. I dig their good-natured moodiness, the cool fuzzed out riffs and fine dynamics and still think they're one of the better combos in town. 

Red Dwarf was packed from start to finish this night so catch these combos while you can!