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Wack-Ass Egyptians are already playing when I come in, damn it, and I later learn that I missed "Balls Vagina"! Alas, I lack the, er, chutzpa to demand a reprise. Still, I catch most of their set, including both new songs, which is the important thing. The vocals are really low tonight, and I have a hard time making out any words, which is a shame. But the band is utterly fierce, and they have a whole huge lot of drunken goofy charm going on.
Valhalla Kittens are debuting a multitude of new members tonight. On bass, there's Johnny Orbit, who looks an awful lot like Black Wednesday, their old bassist, in a wig. But Black Wednesday would never wear such colorful clothing, so it can't possibly be him. He's got the moves down, though. Dynamite Bill is the glittery new second guitarist, and Kitten Rosa's spot is now occupied by Kitten Rosa II. I kind of wish they had chosen a different name/color, as the new girl, while fabulous, is not my Kitten Rosa, and it makes it tricky to contrast them. She is a fine addition, though, and handles the parts beautifully. Whether it's some weird alchemy of how their voices blend, or tonight's soundman is just a superhuman Kitten-mixer, the balance is exquisite tonight, and I can hear all three Kittens perfectly. Along with pretty much everything else; it's really a very impressive mix. Between the clarity of all the harmonies and the addition of a second guitar, the overall sound is just incomparably lush, while their stage presence continues to be ridiculous and camptastic. With all this sonic room to move in, Scott's vocals veer more toward the freaky spoken word end, where they fit beautifully; Tom compares him to Fred Schneider and Einar, both of whom found similar niches. Ironically, while the new kids settle into their parts smoothly, Scott makes several notable bobbles on songs that he wrote and has been playing out for a while now; fortunately, that goofy presence of his lets him laugh at himself and have it all work. It's a strong new direction for them, and the cover of "Walk on the Wild Side" has become transcendent.
