The Implosions, The Triple Splits, the Unnaturals at Santos, New Orleans, Friday 12-5-25

So we took a trip to New Orleans with about 30-some other Las Vegans and amongst all of the other food'n'drinks'n'sites, two of our local bands decided to play a show while we were all there! 

Santos is a fun little dive bar randomly located at an edge of the Quarter, behind construction barriers and other NO madness. Cool space, nice bartenders, reasonable drinks - good place for a Vegas takeover!

But, before our fellow Vegans took the stage, local instrumental (mostly) combo, the Unnaturals stormed the stage to a pretty packed house. While absolutely surf-influenced (which was even more apparent on their CD that I picked up - more on that later), live, they had a powerful, 70's hard rock and at times almost-prog-rock feel! The guitar was tough'n'metallic'n'flashy as hell, the Thunderbird bass was indeed thunderous with more fast'n'furious licks than more guitarists can muster and the drums were powerful'n'snappy. While some tunes were more traditional, such as their cover of "Out of Limits", they also covered the Dead Kennedys and - I believe - an 80's metal tune! Shades of Vegas' Swank Bastards! Super impressive! See them if you can!

Up next was a relatively new Vegas combo featuring members of Franks'n'Deans, Bear Supply, the Implosions, the Mapes and more going under the moniker of the Triple Splits. Self-described as skater-punk, a genre that kinda passed me by, they were tight, fast'n'loud and a hit with the crowd. Fine musicianship all around (although not as wildly flashy as the Unnaturals, since their songs didn't call for it), this is certainly a new combo to watch!

I have ranted'n'raved innumerable times about our friends the Implosions and always dig their version of garage/punk/Crampsian/rock'n'roll. Their Vegas-themed tunes captivated the crowd, with everyone joined in on "Cashed Out" (I think) and just generally dancin'n'diggin' the sounds. Lots of variety to their sounds and lots of fun! 

There was even a late-night surprise set by Thee Swank Bastards since Jesse Del Quadro (and his lovely wife Nikki) were among the Vegas denizens that made the trip. Starting out with Clay'n'Denise as the rhythm section, going through many of their repertoire, including their Black Sabbath medley, Clay eventually handed the drumsticks over to Courtney, yet another Vegas-part-time-Bastard. Crazy times indeed that went late into the evening!

Thanks to Santos Bar for hosting this wacky night joined by innumerable Vegas inhabitants!