When I shoot a band for the first time, there's all kinds of preconceptions. Always for the better, with hopes of having audio levels on point to do their music justice, lighting to minimize squints, a memorable stage presence to fill the “keep pile” of photos when collating a set. Slaughterhouse, from South Bay, played Beat Kitchen on Tuesday night with a show that left no room for hesitation or doubt for exceeding my hopes. Their sound is raw, fast, and immediate.
Lean punk sharpened by something darker underneath that's drawing me closer to the harder edge coming out of Los Angeles.
Meriel O'Connell brought a voice and presence that pulled people in effortlessly. At times, it was like watching Blondie through a cracked mirror, right down to their cover of “Call Me”. If Debbie Harry had leaned further into death rock, it might have sounded something like this. Add in a touch of hardcore, and I'm in there for life. O'Connell paced the floor, locked eyes, and held the room without needing the stage.
The band stepped back and let her take the center and everyone followed…right down to the full-sized pit of a sink hole she stepped into.
A favorite, fresh set of '25. Wherever they're going, I wanna be there.