After moving to Richmond a month ago, I had walked past Strange Matter a number of times, eaten a tasty brunch there but had yet to catch a show.
On Wednesday night, my Strange Matter cherry was popped and I am so glad The Coathangers were the ones to do it.
Arriving at the landmark venue with a dripping rain poncho, soaked shoes and mascara dripping down my face I was ready to ride my bike back home and call it a night.
However, the enticing sounds of Heavy Midgets pulled me out of my funk, with a little help from the sizeable crowd who were plenty enjoying these local favorites. Charlanne McCarthy’s impressive vocals made me forget all about the possible fungus that was breeding in the puddles inside my shoes. The switching of vocals between McCarthy and John Graham was a delight and I look forward to seeing this band perform many more times.
Next came DC’s Gangland Buries Its Own. Opening with an instrumental number, their heavy bass and drums had the floor vibrating. When vocalist Zoey Rawlins began singing, it seemed the bass would have none of that nonsense, drowning her out. I wasn’t really feeling this band. This may have been in part to my (slightly inebriated) friend commenting “They sound like Sarah McLachlan gone grunge”. While I wasn’t sure if I agreed, the damage was done and I couldn’t get the image out of my mind.
Then, The Nervous Ticks blew my mind. While outside, I cut my finger on a Red Bull can and came back inside bleeding (hardcore or what?). My fears of tetanus were soon forgotten and replaced by fears my brain would explode from the coolness of the band. Maracas. A wash tub drum. Super primitive garage punk at it’s best. It was madness and the crowd loved it.
For a school night the crowd was impressively large as The Coathangers ascended the stage. Opening with Smother, the Atlanta, Georgia trio brought their A-game from the get go. Instrument swapping, awesome vocals and an unwavering energy cemented a place in my heart for these guys. Crowd favorites included Johnny and Hurricane though nothing could surpass the frenzy that was Nestle In My Boobies. Bassist/vocalist Meredith Franco jumped into the crowd, causing a raucous sing-along. The set flew by and I couldn’t help but wish The Coathangers would return to the River City soon.
They say you never forget your first time and thanks to the talent on show at Strange Matter, I doubt I will.