Link http://www.theblackangels.com
Events
Event The Black Angels
City Los Angeles
State California
Venue El Rey
Date October 31, 2008
Halloween in Los Angeles frightens me…and that’s no small fait accompli considering that I’m a product of the city that never sleeps and one of its most storied boroughs, Brooklyn, New York. As per the well worn phrase and hip hop sing-along Whodini classic, “the freaks come out at night,” …they did. And quite a few of those high heeled, scantily clad, faux-mangled and mutilated, blood-spattered freaks managed to find their way to the El Rey theatre for an eve of oh, so apropos psych-rock horror combined with new-school drone. Hide the children! But if you’ve missed this or any of the palmful of Erickson/The Black Angels dates, well boo on you.
You have to admit that there’s a certain logic in the coupling of these two, both natives of Austin, Texas’ musical bosom. Inspired, even, considering their master/student alignment: Roky (of 13th Floor Elevators and Erickson & The Aliens) being “that” pioneer of a genre from whence the dark side is a playground, and The Black Angels who frolic in that playground…some forty years later. And then there was the double-fisted stroke of brilliance/efficiency: not only were The Black Angels Roky’s opening act, but they also served as his backing band of rhythm during the retrospective! One could only hope (expect) that this black light combo platter would be one worth the gas I spent driving to the El Rey.
It was.
First came a lovely chat/interview with The Black Angels’ Alex Maas earlier that afternoon and now I may never utter “Can I get a what what?” the same again. Click HERE and watch that will you?
Later in the eve setting the scene, The Black Angels took to the stage for their take on the joys of heavy, acidic-grooves. Now for the record, I don’t drink, smoke or take in any chemical stronger than the natural properties in chocolate. But if I did, I imagine that the result might be something mentally trippy, elusive yet nonetheless as pleasurable as listening to The Black Angels in total darkness with eyes closed and heather incense burning. But if my eyes were closed then I’d miss Stephanie Bailey bring her muscle to the art of percussion, I’d miss Christian Bland bending those guitar notes with his pedal, I’d miss Alex Maas in his role as the oft-unintelligible bearded guide for the ride, I’d miss Kyle Hunt on the tom complimenting Bailey’s heavy hand, and I’d miss Nate Ryan on bass…and I never miss the bass. Bass missing is unacceptable behavior.
So The Black Angels’ set hit it quite nicely; “You On The Run”, “Young Dead Men”, “Black Grease”, “Better Off Alone”, “Deer-Ree-Shee”, “Science Killer”, “Surf City”,…tunes that showcase their skill, their focus, and flesh out their murky landscape live were present. Dig the layers, the reverb, and the echoes of purple haze in the sound. The wall of sound. By my estimation, the LA crowd was collectively on their third drink and hearing all of the pretty colors that The Black Angels painted.
Now we had black and white painted faces, vampires, a Manson disciple, the Morton Salt girl, a Viking, hookers (I’m guessing, I mean what else can you be dressed like that?)…was that a 2-headed dog? Yes, yes it was and doesn’t that just speak volumes? So when the man of the hour took the stage, what was a normal noisy Los Angeles crowd suddenly became a cult-leader’s wet dream, so frenzied the lot of them were to be led by the hand and trip off into the darkness of Erickson’s world. All it took were the first few chords of “Bo Diddley” and Roky’s open, smiling face and then it was on.
So what if I got drinks spilled on me or if I almost lost an eye to the Viking’s helmet or if that drunk dude who rushed on the stage and gave Roky a bear hug was promptly ejected from the stage and almost landed on me or if the line for the bathroom was scarier than the thought of some rogue vampire sucking my blood or…
I’m sorry, where was I? Oh yeah: Roky rocked. He did so clad in black and in a fashion that honored the spirit of survive and thrive to rock another day. With his powerful bellows and playing a mean ass guitar, the crowd was haunted by, I mean treated to, creepy fare such as “If it’s raining and you’re running don’t slip in mud/because if you do you’ll slip in blood/tonight is the night of the vampire.” “Night of The Vampire”, “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, “Creature With The Atom Brain”, “The Beast “, “Two Headed Dog”, “I Walked With A Zombie”, a boogie-shaking “Before You Accuse Me (Take A Look At Yourself)”, and more were pretty much eaten alive by a crowd that knew and respected the history on the stage and his back-up band of Angels seemed to follow suit as Alex Maas (Black Angels-vocals) made contact with Roky between every song and paid homage by way of serving up the electric jug-sound that 13th Floor Elevators called their own.
I’m glad to be able to say that I saw Roky & The Explosives last year at Coachella where he looked and sounded great in the sunshine and heat of the desert. Eighteen months later in the dark and spooky cool of the El Rey, same sh*t, different day. And I’m glad to be able to say that, too.
You have to give credit to The Black Angels for fulfilling their part of the bargain. Stylistically speaking, Roky’s lineage of music isn’t a snapshot of theirs, so that was surely an adjustment that they had to make. While the restless jumpiness patented by the originators was missing, many props to them for learning and executing Roky’s music with above average aplomb. And with their lovely faces painted in the spirit of the eve, exhibit A as to why one should never apply make up in a moving vehicle. Raccoon eyes for all!
The elevator reached the 13th floor without issue (knock on wood).
Good times on a Freaky Friday in Los Angeles, CA people.
Click it:
Roky Erickson: http://www.rokyerickson.net
The Black Angels: www.myspace.com/theblackangels and www.theblackangels.com
Check out our full set of The Black Angels and Roky Erickson concert photos.
Review by TRINA GREEN
Photos © M’LOU ELKINS (skip2photography.com)
Tags: ROKY ERICKSON, THE BLACK ANGELS
Music
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