Apropos of nothing, Robert Moore of Sonic Spectrum threw a party at RecordBar on Saturday night. For a spring fling of sorts, the ubiquitous long-haired music man recruited power-country-poppers Sons of Great Dane, the thunderous Hammerlord and the Pedaljets -- the regrouped rock redux that hit it big in the 80's, broke up in the early 90's, decided to give it another go in the 00's and is finally recording a new album in the 10's.
I wasn't around for the first go-around for this quartet, who has replaced long time lead guitarist Phil Wade (currently with the Wilders) with present sound engineer Paul Malinowski. The rest of the crowd, rife with aging scenesters, seemed genuinely excited to see the band roll out some new material for the first time in 20 years (drummer Rob Morrow ended the sound check with "Stargate, motherfuckers") even though they all hung back from the stage.
Right away, the 'jets started in with their signature sound: loud, crunchy and riff-heavy. Malinowski was goin' to town. He looked like a 16 year-old garage rock kid playing his first show. Frontman Mike Allmayer and bassist Matt Kesler stayed steady behind the mics. I don't know if it was nerves, whiskey, or the lights, but those dudes were sweatin'.
I had heard a rumor before the show that the set would be made up of all new material. Allmayer later told me it was only about two-thirds new material. The rest were older standards for "continuity." I didn't ask if the second song with the line punch that fucker right between his eyes was new or not, but I did know that "Teenage Kicks" was a cover. Morrow, sounding like John Lydon, belted that one out from behind his drums.
Fairly short and sweet, the Pedaljets' set was tight and well-composed. Whether or not one cares for the college-ish, alt-rock sounds of the band, it's obvious they are good musicians. The soft-spoken Allmayer writes memorable lyrics and sometimes, he even howls like Roger Daltrey. Either way, it's an undisputed fact that these dudes are entrenched in Kansas City rock.
Well said, Mike.
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