Kyng/Crobot
April 28, 2014
Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell)
The Kill Devil Hill/Kyng/Crobot tour is a package that I had been looking forward to since hearing about it. Everything seemed to be working against this show. Between the tornado warnings and sirens going off and the headliner dropping off the bill, attendance was pretty low but this didn’t seem to phase Crobot one single bit. The band took to the stage with all the force and energy of a band playing to thousands opening with “The Legend of the Spaceborn Killer.” Right away I could feel a jolt of energy penetrate me and by the time they were kicking into their 2nd song “Weigh Me Down” I couldn’t stop smiling or moving. The energy and charisma of lead singer Brandon Yeagley sets the bar high for his fellow comrades but is at times reached with ease as the band lays down a dag nasty stank groove that makes it impossible to stand still.
The set list was pretty much the same as it was the last time they were in town but the show was totally different. The energy was off the charts but Crobot seemed to be playing with more precision and focus this time. “La Mano de Lucifer” just may be Crobot’s finest hour but it was the suite of “Cloud Spiller/Wizards” that truly brought the house down. This little combo really showcases Crobots ability to do something truly unique in a live setting while exercising some of their (don’t kill me guys) jam band like tendencies. Almost like a more cosmic Grateful Dead with more whiskey they hallucinogens. Crobot closed out their 45 minute set with “Fly on the Wall” and totally left me wanting more. The reaction from this small but very vocal crowd really blew me away. Give me a small, appreciative, and vocal crowd over a crowd of 1000 “it’s cool to be here” types anyday. Crobot stepped it up and gave that sparse lil audience the same quality show that they would’ve given to a crowd 10x the size. That’s how you do it folks. That’s how you do it!
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Kyng
Basking in the glow of my 2nd and most amazing Crobot show I’ve seen yet, I waited in anticipation for Kyng to take the stage. I’ve been a fan of Kyng every since 2011 and I really feel like I’ve watched this band grow up. Every time I see Kyng live they’ve grown just a bit more but when they came out swinging with “Burn the Serum” I knew that I was seeing seasoned veterans. Much like with Crobot, Kyng didn’t seem to be bothered in the least that the crowd was on the smaller side and delivered a mind blowing performance that I would have to say was the best I have seen them play to date.
Lead singer/guitarist Eddie Veliz was in top notch form vocally and musically while his brothers Pepe Clarke (drums) and Tony Casteneda (bass/vocals) laid a solid foundation of groove behind Veliz. The band was having a blast on stage and was being really playful with the crowd while creating this connection with everyone that set the tone for the whole night. Kyng broke out their now fan favorite cover of the Van Halen classic “Hot for Teacher” with Pepe playing the drums on that one better than Alex Van Halen probably ever could himself. It’s so fun to see them having so much fun with this song while staying true to the original and not walking all over it.
Kyng’s setlist was a fine mix of songs from their debut Trampled Sun and from the outstanding new Burn the Serum album.
The highlight of the night for me was when they played the seldom played “Porcelain” and sent it out to me. There’s nothing more awesome than when your favorite bands recognize you and pull out a request for you. I had never had the chance to hear this song live before so that alone made the night for me. In classic Kyng tradition, “Shoreline” closed out the night with a massive blow to the dome and I literally could feel the hairs on my arms standing up as Tony and Eddie delivered spot on harmonies. This song really means a lot to me on such a personal level and every time they play it, it’s like the first time I’ve heard it. The band was about to leave but a chant from the crowd brought on what Eddie referred to as “The first encore ever at a Kyng show” as they played “Big Ugly Me” to a very vocal and appreciative audience.
Kyng and Crobot proved to be one of the absolute best double bills I have seen in a quite a while. This was a show that really had a lot going against it. Both bands could’ve moved on but in true “show must go on fashion” both bands stepped up to the plate and delivered two of the most powerful, inspired, and moving sets I’ve seen. When I was a kid, I used to see all kinds of club shows that had like 40, 50 people there and to this day I look back and I say, “Man, I’m so lucky to have seen such an amazing show.” Kevn Kinney from Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ even told me once, “The best shows I’ve ever played are the ones that nobody was there to see.” The performances from Crobot and Kyng this night are the kinds of performances that make me feel proud to be a fan of a band. They both brought their “A-Game” and they gave me a show I will never forget. Matter of fact, by end of that show I found myself saying, “Kill Devil Who?” Go see this tour if it’s in your city or close. You’ll be so glad you did.
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