Sound salvation

Introducing The Complete Strangers

by THE KING OF ROCK
columnist

I don't know where you were Friday night two weeks ago, but it wasn't the right place, and it wasn't the right time. The areas only truly fantastic band (to say "rock band" or "rock and roll band" would be an unfair category as [like all truly great bands] they defy convention and can't simply be called just another punk or rock band) took the stage hostage at the Stoned Monkey and surrendered it only when their demands were made known.

Save for some introduction by some extremely tall and thin fellow hollering about musical missions, solutions, problems and what not, the start of the first song was not exceptional. Let's just say it was a rocky beginning. But by the end of the first song, they had not only taken over the audience, but the entire club.

A crowd formed at the entrance like a blocked artery with too many blood vessels all pushing and pulling and stretching to see. Everyone was standing up and the place was hot. It became more and more packed as the set went on. The members of the audience were moving and clapping, swaying and sweating. Three of the more fanatical members stood in front going wild, dancing and clapping hootin' and hollerin'.

The sounds from the stage are not easy to describe. Playing like a frenzied five piece weaned from an early age on rock and roll. They had a percussionist, which is unusual for a band like this and many times can slow down a rock and roll band. But nay, he not only held his own, he rocked harder than many front-men I have seen in my time. His uncanny resemblance to David Byrne is overshadowed only by his tourette's syndrome jerk and shake.

Truly he added a level to the music absent from many bands live shows. The drummer was sublime. He didnÕt simply "play the drums". He was the friggin' drums, furiously pounding and beating until every beat was felt by every member of the audience. No one standing was still.

The bassist was to-die-for. Anyone who has seen them will tell you that she is amazing. If not for her proficiency at bass, then for her ability to sway and swagger. Shaking her hips like an Egyptian snake charmer, until the cobra that is Rock n' Roll has risen within every member of the audience.

The lead guitarist's presence on the stage was imposing as well. He was tall and mean and wielded his guitar like an instrument of divination. He knew what he was there to do, and so did we. He spared no one.

Finally that brings us to the lead singer. A lot of times the lead singer over shadows the other members of a band in the public's mind. To many people the lead singer is the physical embodiment of the band. He or She represents everything the band is supposed to stand for or by and takes on many of the public's beratements or praise, depending on how things go. That having been said we can begin.

This man's voice is nothing short of wonderful. He's a very beautiful boy to boot. And that night he shook and shivered and gyrated, possessed with the spirit of rock and roll. He didn't merely have stage presence, he hypnotized you. Completely mesmerizing you with his Jagger-esque prancing and shaking. You simply could not ignore him, unless you had some sort of severe brain deficiency making you prone to stand around gabbing about crap while the best band you ever saw was onstage amazing dozens.

The highlight of the show the bands cover of "Gloria," one of my personal favorites. That song when performed by them is the culmination of what good rock and roll is all about. Energy and passion fused together to make that moment the best of your life. To make your ears and mind and heart meltdown in an explosion of urgency and excitement. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. It was amazing.

Then, the crowd insisted on one more. The set had been amazing and we weren't ready to go home yet. They had completely laid to waste the entire bar. Everyone was into it. People were shouting and dancing. Kids were going wild near the bar, not one soul stood still. All eyes were on the stage and no one would forget that these five kids from Portsmouth Ohio had given them something that has been lost somewhere. They gave them salvation. They gave them hope. That night, the only band in the area that can do so, the Complete Strangers, gave them Rock and Roll.

That's right, you may have missed your chance that fateful Friday night, but you can still redeem yourself. The Complete Strangers are forgiving and offer many chances to take part in their rock. You can still be saved, their next show is on Oct. 12 at the American legion on Sixth Avenue.

Don't miss it.

The King of Rock can receive comments at parthenon@marshall.edu.