Halloween was haunted by The Spooks, as the Black Lips side project celebrated the release of its long-awaited LP with four other bands Friday at The Star Bar.
The party began with Predator, as they played a good and lengthier than usual set which included a song written especially for Halloween. Though they are not as good as Beat Beat Beat or Frantic just yet, this three-piece is poised to release what should be a solid single or two in the coming months.
Coffin Bound played next, and why this band is not headlining every time they play is beyond me. They sounded great and loud Friday. Coffin Bound is so different from other local bands, as their sound is sort of bluesy and will transport you to a swamp instead of a 1960’s dance party.
Mourdella, a harder-rocking punk outfit fronted by Jessica Juggz, ended the parade of local Die Slaughterhaus bands. The band was ready for Halloween, as Jessica was an Indian and she was joined on stage by two demons and a zombie. This was my first time seeing Mourdella, and their rocking sound was much, much different than the tambourine shaking and hoola-hooping I am used to seeing whenever Jessica tackles lead vocals with Baby Dinosaurs vs. Extinction.
Denmark’s Cola Freaks then took the show to another level, as they played a set that somehow surpassed their recent appearance at 97 Estoria. With their manic lead singer leading the charge, the Cola Freaks damn near started a riot. I was in the middle of the entire ruckus, and somehow or another ended up bleeding above my nose in the process.
Two things stick out about the Cola Freaks. One is their singer, who still reminds me of Ian Curtis with his nervous dancing, frantic pointing and audience members, and maniacal stares. The other is how a group of young guys from faraway Denmark seem to have the same musical influences as bands in Atlanta.
With the grand finale, The Spooks resurfaced as members of The Black Lips were joined by Mark from Die Slaugherhaus and local drummer Adam Bruneau as they played their interesting mix of minimalist rock and spooky electronic music.
Though the 3-D projections did not work (or at least not for my drunken eyes) and the band technically took the stage Nov. 1 and not on Halloween, everything else was ideal. The place was packed, as costumed locals had already poured in from the Deerhunter and Pylon show down the street at The Variety Playhouse. And, most importantly, the band was spot-on as they played Spooks originals and a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love.”
By the end of the night, fans had ended their Halloween and began November seeing some of Die Slaugherhaus’ finest bands and what has to be one of the most exciting live acts in Europe.
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