Thursday night I went to Ronny’s for two reasons; to see Hotlips Messiah and to celebrate Slick Horrible’s birthday by meeting up with friends and having a couple of serums. I needed a good night out and this sounded like just what the doctor ordered.
Ronny’s is a pretty small bar with a back room that in reality is a garage. In this garage there is a couple of tables, another small bar, and the bands just set up their gear near the back of the garage and play. There is no stage, and the lighting consists of a single spotlight with a red gel pointing to the center of where the bands play. It’s about as low budget and punk rock as it gets.
The Wanderers
The Wanderers
The Wanderers
The Wanderers were up first. I think they are a local act but I honestly don’t know anything about them. I just popped in to shoot a few pictures then head back to the bar so I didn’t really pay much attention to what they were playing as I was heavily distracted. I don’t recall thinking anything bad of them so the next time I’m at a show they are on the bill for, I’ll make a point to actually pay attention to them.
Doug Travis
Doug Travis
Doug Travis
Doug Travis
After a fairly rapid set change Doug Travis took the stage, er… the floor, next. They were a mid to fast tempo chaotic punk rock band complete with a pretty spastic singer. He came out in a gold jacket and flashing glasses and was flailing about during every song as the band were pounding away on their gear. I found myself enjoying them quite a bit.
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Hotlips Messiah
Last but not least was one of my reasons for being there, Hotlips Messiah. It has been close to a year since I have last saw them play and the time has been good to them. In that time they have become tighter and more refined and are really forming a good sound. They have a definite 70’s punk influence in a Screamers kind of way with the keyboards, but they also use guitars. It works together quite well, and Traci is one hell of a front-woman. I could do without Richard Bastard playing in the nude, in fact I’d happily have gone my whole life without seeing his junk. They played about 45 minutes and junk aside, it was a really entertaining and energetic set.
Hotlips Messiah
After their set, I finished my beer and said my goodbyes and hit the road because sadly I had to be up in the morning to go to work. I left with a smile on my face having had a really fun evening. I definitely won’t be letting another year lapse before seeing Hotlips play again.
