INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Web exclusive: Letting the freak flag fly

 

Punk Rock Night with the Crank County Daredevils, The Last Vegas, Vodka De Milo
Melody Inn
Saturday, Sept. 8
 
The Melody Inn was packed by the time Greg Brenner’s Vodka De Milo took the stage. This local super-group of sorts is still finding its legs, but nevertheless knows how to put on a killer show. Glen Hopkins is a wunderkind behind the drum kit, and with Jason Cavan, they form one of the better rhythm sections in town. Justin Allen is finally forming an alliance with big daddy Thom Woodard, adding a nice counterpoint to Woodard’s blazing leads. Meanwhile, Brenner is getting more confident and letting his freak flag fly as a proper lead singer should.

The Last Vegas did a nice set of glam-metal that was dominated by lead singer Chad Cherry’s effeminate, yet powerful presence. The highlight was a spot-on rendition of Queen’s “Tie Your Mother Down.”

Dayton, Ohio’s Luxury Pushers have been playing Indy so much lately that they might as well be a local band. Jamie, the mush-mouthed scamp that leads the band, didn’t disappoint. Even so, they suffered from having the closing set, trying in vain to summon up energy from a night that just had it all sucked out by a dirty crew from North Carolina.

The Crank County Daredevils were all sweat, attitude and power. Featuring a bass player that rocks so hard he doesn’t even need the high string, and a guitarist named Rory who’s a metal god all the way, they aren’t flashy, nor are they particularly tuneful. Yet, they slammed into the packed crowd with the forceful “Fueled by a Fifth” and kept it revved up with “Love is Like a Suicide,” closing the set with a fun version of “It’s So Easy,” with Cherry’s help.