Review: Starkiller Reunion

On December 21st the consolations aligned over Zanzabar to bring a perfect storm of post-psychedelic rock. It was probably not a coincidence that Starkiller's first show in about a decade happened on the first anniversary of the Mayan Prophecy of the end of the world; a subject front-man Dom (Dham) Cipola  covered in his new band The Phantom Family Halo.
Guitarist Christian Tonegawa  said the band practiced for just 3 days before the show, as Dom is currently living in New York, but no one could have guessed this based on the very solid performance of the band, as if they had been transported directly from a stage a decade ago when Starkiller reigned God King in the Louisville rock scene.
The band covered many of their best songs from Gravity and Just Her Light from their first 7 inch, to The Mary Bell from their first recordings,to the very brilliant Vampire Country sung by Christian Tonegawa. The band played a very amazing set of about 10 songs, but at about one song per year in exodus, it would have been nice to hear more. But surely someone had the foresight to record the show, so hopefully we won't have to wait another decade to hear them again.

Starkiller Reunion at Zanzabar

Review: Second Story Man 2/14

SSM @ New Vintage

This month is momentous  for the sheer amount of 15 year anniversary reunion shows; including Second Story Man (12/14 New Vintage), Starkiller (12/21 Zanzabar) and Team Totoro (12/31 Haymarket). It was a wondrous and mysterious time 15 years ago for music. Grunge was officially dead and buried  and no one quite knew where music was heading, so Louisville decided to explore every direction. Bands like The Hookers, Glass Pack, and Starkiller headed the rock front, Team Totoro, Music For Nintendo, and VHS or Beta went into the electronic frontiers, and Second Story Man, Pajo, and others pushing the broken heart pop/rock front. The world may have settled on something else entirely but Louisville never bothered to follow the world, the world could follow us if they wanted, but we have always been fine doing what we do best, never mind if anyone else is listening.

Saturday Second Story Man hit the stage at The New Vintage after a three year hiatus with a fervor and precision as if it was still that magical  time 15 years ago when anything could happen. This line up saw veteran drummer Evan Bailey now on guitar and vocals, and Drew Osbourne taking his place on the skins,  Jeremy Irvin on Bass, and the ever captivating Carrie Neumayer on vocals and guitar. Evan seemed right at home with his new position as resident shredder, and Carrie gracious as always as the SSM frontman. 

The only noticeable drawback was the short-ish set of about half a dozen songs for the packed room excited to see this Louisville Mainstay after several years. But the set ended with their powerful cover of Will Oldham's Riding complete with horns and organ, as heard on the new THERE IS NO ONE  compilation, to an amazed audience. 

If you need more Second Story Man in your life, no need to wait another 3 years, they are planning more shows in the future including one in January. And the band members themselves are also contributing to other great projects including Jeremy's solo work (Eremy*Jirvin), Even's solo work (Piñata Me) and Carrie's impressive Julie Of The Wolves.

This brand new song You Never Know was just released by SSM and played live at New Vintage.

12/21 STARKILLER @ Zanzabar

A near miracle is happening next week, and the most astonishing thing is that there doesn't seem to be much information out there about it. The band that began Phantom Family Halo frontman Domonic Cipola's ascent into psychedelic stardom way back 15 years ago, STARKILLER, is materializing in Louisville at Zanzabar on December 21st with Shedding and Tropical Trash.  This opportunity to see one of louisville's great rock bands may not ever happen again, or at least this decade. Somewhere out there is the Starkiller Complete Discography, if you can find it, grab it and put it on repeat.