By Jeff Doan (guest contributor)
A crowded room, a small venue, some good BBQ, and a killer show is all a music lover needs in life. That is exactly what went down at the King Tuff show last month at Globe Hall. From the moment the first song kicked off—pulling double duty as the start of both their new album and the set—it was clear we were in for a masterclass in the “return to rock.”
I immediately felt the weight of those heavy drums and that groovy, melodic bass. One thing I always love to test is how much harder a band goes live compared to their recordings. King Tuff did not disappoint. The sound was fuzzier, deeper, and far more visceral than their studio stuff, giving the crowd a special kind of energy you can only find in a narrow room with low-ceilings.
What really stuck with me is how they managed the tempo. Even when a song started slow—and FYI, I undeniably prefer pedal to the metal at all times—it amped up quickly and without a shred of regret. I found myself thinking how much they felt like the Grateful Dead meeting psych-punk (think Ty Segall), and I loved every second of it.
Kyle Thomas’ vocals are another standout; he has this distinct Marc Bolan-like quality to his voice. In certain moments, it was shocking that the ghost of T. Rex wasn’t actually on stage with us, but the world can always use more Bolan-sounds in my book. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a lead shred solos as relentlessly as Kyle, but they never stayed in one mode too long. They’d pivot effortlessly over to modern Americana with a sharp edge—imagine Tom Petty starting his career today. Spoiler alert: their first encore was a cover of Petty’s “You Wreck Me,” which felt like a perfect full-circle moment for the night.
The whole show reminded me just how deep and exceptional their catalog is. I’ve been into them for over ten years now, but they’ve always flowed in and out of my musical life without me catching a live show. They are officially a permanent staple in my shuffle from here on out.
To top it off, after the set, I caught Kyle grabbing a beer. I told him how great the show was while asking for his autograph on my new vinyl—because, honestly, I had to. While the crowd wasn’t quite as rambunctious as I’d have hoped for a Saturday night, my ears were ringing for a solid day afterward. In my book, that’s the sign of a night well spent.
Leave a Reply