Show review: Night Marchers, Night Horse, Dammit Janet, Fast Dragon - 10.30.2009

San Diego legends, Night Marchers may have started late at Alex's last night (1am. oh man, I'm way too old for this...), but the set was anything but tired. Inspired upbeat rock and roll with an angst-y edge matched by the hilarious in-between song banter of John Reis.

We were only able to stay for about 40 minutes of their set (baby sitter needed to be relieved), but the witnessed set was pretty amazing. Playing from their album, See You In Magic, Night Marchers proved they are not ones to rest upon the laurels of their legendary past, but build and expand into new sounds and territories unexplored. After years of leading quality acts such as Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From The Crypt, and Hot Snakes, John Reis still shows he can turn fresh and catchy twists on his familiar and classic style. As an extra added bonus for the kids, his comedic stage banter matches the throat and guitar chops.

Very few bands I see have that natural edge, that confidence, that swagger, that "je ne se qua". Night Marchers have it. They are the real deal. John Reis' song writing ability alone should be a national treasure, stored in the Smithsonian to show future generations how it's done.

While the crowd that was there was enthusiastic, certainly not very crowded, at ALL! Why aren't Night Marchers selling this place out? They are fantastic! Maybe being the night before Halloween had something to do with it, but for a band who has such a buzz, the entire population of Long Beach should have been there.

As an aside, I have an idea for Night Marchers next project: Release a CD/DVD of just John's in-between song banter. Seriously, it would sell like hot cakes. Should he ever hang up the guitar, he could easily hit the comedy club circuit. One of the best front people I've seen in a long time.

The night started off hot with local LBC band, Fast Dragon kicking through their jams of surfy punk melodic goodness. Front person, Mike "Brown Town", easily one of the nicest people we've ever met. Look for these guys at a venue near you! Support local rock!

Appropriate for Halloween were Dammit Janet, a Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute band who did FANTASTIC versions of songs from the movie and in costume. A lot of fun. The only bummer, as noted by my companion, Jet Fighter, was the lack of dancing by the crowd during Time Warp. C'MON, people! Dammit Janet is putting their heart and soul into this, SHAKE THAT ASS!

Night Horse brought on a heavy dose of 70's inspired, blues-drenched hard rock, whose monstrous sound shook the unsuspecting city with raw and gnarly riff-age.

UPDATE: Sadly, my buzz over last nights show was cut short this morning over learning about the senseless killing of a 16 year old girl after the Wilson High homecoming football game last night, not super close to Alex's bar, but close enough. Please keep the girl's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers today.