Drug Hunt Feast Album Release Party at the Casbah

Bang Bang Jet Away promptly got things started, with Matthew Binder (vocals) and Mike Kamoo’s (drums) recording project brought to life with the help of Andrew Bernhardt (guitar), Tim Powers (bass), Peter Kovacs (keys/guitar), and Mike’s son Owen Kamoo (guitar) as well!  Evoking a timeless San Diego sound, Bang Bang Jet Away’s own surf/garage rock brought everyone to the dancefloor with no hesitation whatsoever.  The band explained that they only managed to get together for a show every couple of years or so, but one would never guess that their polished sound came from anything less than regular, rigorous practice of their craft.  Expertly illuminated by members of the SDLLS, the visuals melding with the audio started smiles a-crackin’ and hips a-swayin’, limbering up party goers for the FEAST ahead.

Afterwards, Peymaar, the sonic source of expression from Dylan Lee Brown, took to the Razzmatazz Room first, expounding on the history of The Casbah itself and enlightening the crowd as to why the pink panther hangs behind the pool table (for the trivia inclined: the original Casbah opened in 1989 in the previous location of the Pink Panther Club).  Joined by Victor Penalosa on drums and an as yet unidentified, certified bassman, Dylan went on to audibly demonstrate the meaning behind Pain Exits Your Mind Altruism Anchors Regard through a fusion of alien funk, cosmic punk, and a heaping helping of classic weirdo music.

Fresh Veggies Micro Brass continued on the main stage, their own unique brand of electrified brass sounding as bright and vital as the first time it was unleashed.  Wili Fleming seamlessly managed vocals and trombone (using the same handheld mic and effects for both), moving from one to the other so deftly that one questions where the man ends and the brass begins.  Jesse Audelo’s saxophone provides the driving voice of the Fresh Veggies sound with Aaron Gragg’s sousaphone bringing up the deepest of the deep low ends.  Held together over Matt Smith’s effortlessly tight drumming, the micro brass achieves a macro sound and their musical farming successfully sprouted a quartet of ginseng dancers cavorting on stage before moving on to open up a circle pit amongst the crowd.

Vermin Class closed down the Razzmatazz bringing their detuned pestpunk to the floor. With a full-length LP in the works, the vermin come home to roost soon, until then this is the only way to experience the noise this band full of SD veterans emits. The Class’s rhythm section of Seb Ulloa (drums) and Chad Deal (bass) created the necessary tempo required so the guitars of Tony Mackintosh and Larry Stage would provide ample space for Justin Cota to unleash whatever vocal rage remained in the tank after all the singing, playing, and screaming in his other projects.  Vermin Class has not-so-quietly been opening some of the most exciting shows of the year thus far along with some headlining stints as well: don’t miss it when the Class is in session!

Finally, Drug Hunt took their preordained places on the stage and proceeded to burn the house down with the help of some very good friends.  Igniting the fire with a trio of as yet unreleased songs, the new core quartet of Rory Morison (vocals, guitar), Jason “Michael” Meyers (vocals, guitar), Adam Baumhardt (bass), and Declan Halloran (drums) called the festivities to order.  Fans familiar with the Hunt were treated to live favorites Mirrors (Strange Bouquets) and Fever with the debut of What’s This as a further reward for their loyal patronage.  Afterwards, long-time-but-now-former keyboard player Nick Sinutko and Jess Roberts (vocals) joined the Hunt already in progress to present the FEAST as it was conceived: a full-on collaborative effort of epic proportions.  Blasting through side A of the album recreated the underlying sense of building dread that accompanies a complete listen, with Drug Hunt’s latest single Kingdom creating a recognizable ruckus in the middle before the ouroboros of Obelisk left the susceptible crowd breathless with its culminating crescendo.

Before any sort of recovery period could commence, the Hunt was joined again by further players: Wili Flemming (trombone), Jesse Audelo (saxophone, flute), and Matt Bozzone (congas and bongos), all contributors to the sound on the album and ready to recreate it in full on stage that night.  Who’s to say when or where Neptune, Shame, and What Kind Of Man will ever be performed again the same way? Clearly the crowd had gathered for something special and, indeed, this was it! Not content to leave things be, the Hunt continued with show-closer The Tower from their 2019 Drug Hunt EP (itself celebrating its 5th anniversary!) until, finally, the energy was spent, the room in (happy) shambles, and the FEAST concluded. Fret not, though, for the Hunt continues…

PHOTOS & REVIEW BY: Jesse Crossley