Hayley Helmericks (left) and Doug Spencer of Monofog get into the Halloween spirit at the Hi-Dive on Friday. Photo by Lisa Gedgaudas.
It was a foggy night of yowls, wails and moans on Halloween at the with local bands , , and . The seemingly ever-lasting show exhibited the darker side of our indie music scene while perfectly enhancing the surrounding costumes as they weaved through the crowd.
The Natural Selection and Hearts of Palm started the night with high-energy performances and addictive melodies. The bands indulged in their holiday pride with appropriate attire as well as projecting images from “Itap the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” onto themselves while they assured a good mood, sing-alongs, sincerity and a crowded stage.
Bad Luck City photo by .
Dameon Merkl, (the lost brother Grimm) frontman for Bad Luck City, pulled in all the kiddies for his looming, low-leveled lyrics, the backing band pulling the alarms with threatening / inspired sounds of dark honesty. This band has come full circle and shows impressive discipline these days, fully and easily commanding your attention.
Monofog’s Hayley Helmericks took to the stage with Merkl for the song “Stealth” (on which she contributes a vocal element), flaunting the sexier side of Bad Luck City with the chant: “It kind of looks likes me from here / It’s got a handsome face and perfect hair / Itap dressed so dashingly, just like a gentlemen should be.”
Bad Luck City photo by .
Each word was laid down to correspond with the break of the drums and Merkl’s index finger, demanding you concentrate on the music. This was the perfect way to approach avid fans of Tom Waits, Nick Cave, dictators, two rocks in a glass of Stranahan’s whiskey, empty hallways, the wind, silent films and cannons.
As the night continued, The Denver Postap No. 6 most beloved underground band of 2008, the domino-bashing basement rockers Monofog, took to the stage. There is no question this band is the fine wine and desert to Bad Luck City’s whiskey and rare meat. The two acts compliment each other perfectly.
Monofog photo by Lisa Gedgaudas.
All the members assembled with white suits, white faces and red eyes while lead vocalist Helmericks stood with her dark, teased locks, all dressed in black. This woman plays off her sense of stage-fright by providing compensation to the crowd with hard, harsh, lippy lyrics and leg-shaking, gutsy sexuality. Climate control comes with the players, Douglas Spencer pulling on guitar, Dave Yob’s driving and perfect bass and Lucas Rouge’s pounding beats rubbing up against Helmericks’ withering lyrics.
The set began with “White Teeth and War,” a classic pit bull of a song. The heat was turned on right away, causing costumes, drinks and quickened pulses to blend together in high concentrations. The punch-hard hits kept coming with songs including “IOU” and “Medicine and Bone to Pick.” The chemistry between the music and vocals felt like a love potion of Cat Power’s feisty, sex-laden howls and Black Mountain’s hip-shaking blues.
The set ended with “Maneater,” the suitable Hall & Oates classic that provided an oh-so-pleasing finish before the dance party began. Monofog group blisters from start to finish, proving their ability to expose the crowd’s intense affection for them every time they play.
Lisa Gedgaudas is a Denver freelance writer and Reverb contributor.
Laurie Scavo is a Denver freelance photographer and regular Reverb contributor.
MORE PHOTOS: The Natural Selection
Above photos by Laurie Scavo.
HEARTS OF PALM
Photo by Lisa Gedgaudas
MONOFOG:
Above photos by Lisa Gedgaudas.
COSTUMES AT THE HI-DIVE
Above photos by Lisa Gedgaudas.
