Last night I attended a concert that I was anticipating for several months, it was at the Canal Club in Richmond. The first band that played is irrelevant to this story, but the Hollywood Kills and the Pretty Reckless played their hearts out despite the small turnout.
Originally I had never heard of the Hollywood Kills, and I didn’t know what to expect. The bassist looked like Elvis, the guitarist had a handle mustache, and the poodle look-alike lead singer looked amateur at best. Let’s just say, looks can be deceiving because they had incredible stage presence and charisma. Also, their songs were nerdy and catchy. That was a definite plus in my book. The crowd couldn’t help bobbing their heads to the guitar riffs and the unique vocals of Jonathon Jircitano. After the show, they signed autographs and sold merchandise in the back. I met the band and had my picture taken with them. They were humble and down to earth guys, but you could tell that they were just as smooth in real life as on stage.
The Pretty Reckless took the stage next and although this is my favorite band in the whole world, I gotta say I’m a little disappointed. Of course Taylor Momsen looked hot but the whole thing seemed a little rushed. They performed their first two songs in a hurry, without an introduction. “Hit me like a man,” their single from their new EP was played first then she quickly transitioned into “Since you’re gone”. She danced fluidly, but without skill for most of the concert and didn’t invite fans on stage even though last April, when I had went to a show in Washington D.C, she wasn’t shy about audience participation.
Even though she lacked in the “reaching her audience” department, the audience wasn’t that respectful to begin with. Numerous times throughout the show, audience members would shout very inappropriate things at Taylor, which I found very distasteful. Despite all that, the Pretty Reckless put on an encore. “Aerials” by System of a Down was Taylor’s cover of choice, and the crowd responded well to it.
I’m glad I went again this year to support my favorite band, and even though it wasn’t all I expected it to be, I still had a good time. Both bands did a great job, it was a good show.
