TKK 2008: Pepper Somerset, Groovie Mann, Buzz McCoy

When I think about the bands that have molded me into the fantatically schizophrenic music devotee that I am today, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult sits fairly high on that list. While they are generally referred to as an “industrial band,” in reality TKK has been about a hundred different genres throughout their nearly 20 year history – nearly all of which they delved into long before it was “the thing to do.” In fact, whenever I hear new-school indie disco like New Young Pony Club or Calvin Harris, I can’t help but think how little credit TKK gets for their early forays into this genre.

Of course, it was my intense appreciation for this band that made it all the worse when I finally saw them live with Ministry a few years ago, and they were…well…terrible. It seemed unbelievable that such an inventive sex, drugs, ’n satan band could be so lifeless and dreary live. Truly a disappointing mess.

So, it was with mixed emotions that I attended their Baltimore show on Saturday night. On the one hand, there was the lackluster experience of a few year’s prior still in my memory, but on the other there was the fact that I wanted to believe they could do better – plus I adored their most recent album, “The Filthiest Show in Town.” So, I decided everybody deserves a second chance, and made the trip out in the pouring rain to Fletcher’s Bar.

After a long night spent standing in stifling heat (Seriously, Fletcher’s, air conditioning – ever heard of it?), and waiting through four god-awful opening bands, I got what I came for. And it was far more than expected. From the second TKK took the stage, this seemed like a completely different band from the one I saw three years ago. Frontman Groovie Mann was energetic, excited, and seemed just generally thrilled to be there. And for a dude who’s gotta be in his mid 40s by now, let me say, the man can still rock a pair of leather pants.

Missing from the band were regular bassist Charles Levi and any sort of live drum or guitar accompaniment, and accordingly the band did a more electronic set, focusing heavily on tracks from their early career. Despite the fact that I would have enjoyed hearing some of their newer material, I’ll forgive it because I got to hear unexpected treats like “A Daisy Chain For Satan” and “Leathersex.” Cheers to current female vocalist and resident sexy laydee Pepper Somerset for working a very small stage and doing all previous TKK Bomb Gang Girlz proud.

All in all, TKK put on the fantastically sleazy electro disco show that I always knew they could. The band’s main set ended with “Cuz It’s Hot,” a fitting tribute to the sweat-box conditions Fletcher’s trapped us in. Kinda fit the show’s atmosphere though – if the heat didn’t have you strippin down, the music sure as hell would.