The Holy Terrors
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Churchill's Pub, Miami
Better Than: Any other band playing last night in South Florida
Sometime back in the early 90's the Holy Terrors were playing at CBGB's when an earnestly keyed-up Dee Dee Ramone stuck around and told the guys he loved their music. Dee Dee's reaction seems to have been widespread amongst those who got to witness the Holy Terrors in the flesh--by all accounts they were really something else, especially when playing live.
Well, as it happens, last night at Churchill's was a good night to see what the fuzz was all about. The Terrors reunited, and for the first time since 2000 original drummer, Interpol's Sam Fogarino, joined his old mates for what really was an extraordinary evening of intensity, with rawness and virtuosity.
By one in the morning the guys took to the stage, while the PA was (fittingly) playing the New York Dolls classic "Trash." The substantial audience, including Rat Bastard and The Postmarks' Christopher Moll, started to gather around the tiny stage anticipating that old live guitar Terrors' grind. And as always, the band failed to disappoint.
The opener "Mantovani" guided by the bombastic Fogarino drumming just simply rocked; and the energy just went up from there, with Dan Hosker's simmering guitar and Will Trev's ample bass making a fully realized sound collage.
From the power and raw emotions of "Lisa's Last Word" to their quintessential anthem "Shine" the Terrors made it clear that there's no nostalgia about these old songs, which sounded as relevant today as they did back on 1993.
No one seemed more aware of this than front man Rob Elba, who gleefully chatted with the audience through the set. And it was cool to watch the usually acerbic Elba genuinely smile and of course, tease the crowd about their true motives for showing up. "How many are you here tonight cause you are Interpol fans?" said Elba pointing at some Interpol-looking kids standing by the front.
Happily most of those in attendance were there for The Terrors, and by their last song, the brutally fast "Fixed" the guys left the stage with their reputations intact. Proving they are still one of our coolest bands. So here's truly hoping their next reunion, and possible new recordings, come about really soon.
Critic's Notebook
Personal Bias: There was so much goodness in the opener "Mantovani" From Will Trev awesome bass lines to Fogarino's tremendous pounding drums, Hosker's and Elba's guitar were truly excellent.
Random Detail: The Postmarks Christopher Moll comment after the concert: "Wow, I feel like I'm 23 again!"
