“I’m not sure if we’ve ever been here before, not sure … But it’s good to be here now,” lead vocalist of Twin Peaks Clay Frankel said, greeting a buzzing audience at The Southern Monday night.
Twin Peaks, a garage-rock band from Chicago, played a rowdy set for a rambunctious young crowd at the intimate venue downtown after their two openers, Chrome Pony and Post Animal. Rockers young and old slowly poured into The Southern over the course of a couple hours, while Post Animal — a rock band from Chicago — head-banged its way through a playful, noisy set.
Next, it was Chrome Pony’s turn to keep up the hype that had already been established in the clearly revved-up room, and the small alternative rock group from Tennessee did not disappoint. Lead singer Tyler Davis’ hypnotic, psychedelic vocals — coupled with funky guitar riffs and drum solos from his brother, Kyle Davis — made for an explosive, juxtaposed sound that primed the crowd perfectly for the main act.
By 10 p.m., the crowd was eager and ready for Twin Peaks. The lights dimmed further, people set their drinks down in anticipation to dance and clapping ensued. The claps of the crowd were answered –– Twin Peaks burst onto the stage to a roomful of invigorated fans. Right away, Frankel, one of a band of five, engaged with the audience, letting them know that the band was ready to show them a good time.
The band began with some of its more upbeat, rock ‘n’ roll tracks, blasting “Telephone” and “Butterfly” to an enthusiastic crowd — many of whom knew all the words. Lead guitarist Cadien James and Frankel worked the stage, seemingly having the time of their lives as they jumped up and down furiously, kissing their microphones and chugging beer in-between songs, while somehow delivering their lyrics and riffs effortlessly and masterfully.
The band certainly knew how to get the crowd to move with them.
“Why are you guys standing so still? Are you sober or something?” Frankel asked after four songs, to laughs from the audience. “It’s dark in here, no one will see what you’re doing, go crazy,” he said.
The crowd responded to his remarks instantly. The dancing, head-banging, air-punching and eventually crowd-surfing increased in a riotous, fun fashion. Even throughout some of the band’s more mellow songs, like “Sweet Thing” and “Holding Roses,” the entertaining performance never lost momentum.
The energy was palpable, from those on- and off-stage. Before exiting the stage after performing “Have You Ever,” Frankel made sure to spray the audience with his last beer can, in a playful fashion.
The crowd wasn’t ready for them to leave or for the fun to be over, and chants of “encore” began immediately. The band answered their fans’ wishes and re-emerged –– Frankel having lost his shirt somewhere backstage. Twin Peaks played a couple final head-bangers –– “Wanted You,” and “Strawberry Smoothie” –– and the concert’s attendees all but lost their minds dancing and moshing on the floor.
Twin Peaks delivered an entertaining, boisterous and exhilarating show, while still maintaining musical composure and effortless musical expertise. Fans and lovers of all things punk can only hope they return to Charlottesville soon.
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