A few years back, controller.controller were on the cusp of being the next big thing; I saw them play a well-attended set at Bluesfest in 2006 and a packed house with DFA 1979 in 2005 (still the sweatiest show I can ever recall attending anywhere). In the intervening years drummer Jeff Scheven and bassis Ronnie Morris have teamed up with another young lady, No Dynamics' Vanessa Fischer, as Lioness. They decreased the punk quotient and upped the death disco (and also recruited a four pair of hands to play synthesizer for their latest tour). Their Monday gig at Cafe DeKcuf is in fact the first show of a tour behind their new album, The Golden Killer.
Locals Organ Eyes opened things. The youthful trio welded some jangly guitar to some serious rhythmic thud. By comparison last time I saw them (at Zaphod's in March 2009), Cameron Steacy and Sam Secord (before they acquired drummer Spencer Stuart) they reminded me of Mazzy Star.
Organ Eyes at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
Cameron thumps!
Organ Eyes at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
Up next Birthday Girls, not to be confused with Birthday Boys. This trio has lasers and strobes and volume. Their bass and drum combination definitely made me think of the aforementioned DFA 1979.
Birthday Girls at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
They add a layer of synths as well.
Birthday Girls at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
Finally, Lioness played a really good set. Their flaming skull projection background is also about the only example of that sort of thing I've seen done well. Alas, I failed to capture Jeff and Ronnie's skull masks.
We start off on the left with their new keyboardist.
Lioness at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
Vanessa and Ronnie!
Lioness at Cafe DeKcuf, April 30, 2012
They finished things off with some drum and bass demolition, and play Montreal tonight.
