This next song is a love song. You can dance to it if you want to. Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein of Misfits is bringing his own misfit brand of Horror Punk on a tour with co-headliner OTEP and friends and recently they made a stop at Reverb in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Walking in through the door past super friendly staff, reveals a large open square room like a converted warehouse. A square bar in the back of the room has several substantial projection televisions above and offers a selection of drinks and a few food items from a deep fryer. The stage is above the crowd and well-lit. Merch sales are along the side and a smoking section is accessible through a door to the bar’s right. Ample parking is available on-site for a fee and free street parking is also available but it can be challenging at times.
The evening started with a local support band which was about as local as they come. Silence Is Survival is from Quakertown about a 10-minute drive away and they are quickly making a name for themselves on the local scene. Five of the friendliest people you could meet have come together to bring their brand of music to the masses. A bit of a plodding style reminiscent of the 69 Eyes primed the crowd for the amazing things to come. Of particular note was a heavy cover of The Foundations’ 1968 hit “Build Me Up Buttercup.” It was a brave choice and took the song to a unique perspective. Expect better things to come from these guys.
The first touring friend/fiend to hit the stage is a band called Red Devil Vortex. They describe themselves on their website as “a sonic doorway created in the shadows of Hollywood, CA” That may be a bit ambiguous but they have a surprisingly full sound for a three-piece band. Much of the credit goes to drummer Eduardo Baldo who plays with speed precision and a penchant for using the bell of the cymbal. The set begins with Baldo as the only one on stage flanked by two red neon V’s. The drumming builds in intensity and the rest of the band works their way onto the stage to join in. Energetic with a great sound, they put it all on the line within the allotted time and are rewarded by the crowd. A sound like Hard Rock Dio wins everyone over and the band makes an effort to connect with the fans. Afterwards handing out stickers, wandering through the audience, and talking to anyone who wants to. These guys are not to be missed.
OTEP is friend number two. Fronting the band that bears her name, Otep Shamaya comes on stage with Carl Orlaf’s “Carmina Burana” playing behind her. It sets an ominous tone and OTEP does not disappoint. Bathed in red light for the entire set the audience is treated to Rap, poetry, singing, and at one point a pig’s head on a stick evoking Lord of the Flies. How one person can contain that much energy is a mystery, but the performance rolls on and the audience responds to every moment. There may be more people there to see OTEP than the headliner Doyle and it is easy to see how they have such a following.
OTEP set list:
Battle Ready
Blood Pigs
Equal Rights, Equal Lefts
My Confession
T.R.I.C.
Apex Predator
Fillthee
Menocide
It is now time for Doyle, and once again we are met with just the drums pounding as the rest of the band slowly joins in. When Doyle himself comes onstage you can smell the bubble gum. As they tear through songs like “Cemeterysexxx” and “Show No Mercy,” singer Alex “Wolfman” Story runs around the stage and goes as far as to climb the amplifier stacks at one point. Doyle doesn’t show half of his 59 years. Shirtless and ripped with his trademark Misfits’ “Devillock,” Doyle’s bulk makes his guitar look small but the sound is huge. Each song fights to be more ferocious than the last until the set comes to an end, and out into the night goes the crowd.
The tour is just starting and dates still remain on the west coast and the south. It is well worth the effort to catch the show.
Doyle set list:
Abominator
Beast Like Me
Cemeterysexxx
Valley Of Shadows
Show No Mercy
Drum Solo
DreamingDeadGirls
Learn To Bleed
Witchcraft
We Belong Dead
Run For Your Life
Hope Hell Is Warm
WORDS BY MATTHEW KOCHEK
PHOTOS BY KIM HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Follow her here @PHARMADIVER