King Tuff

King Tuff Credit: Dan Monick

There are very few moments in music that can be considered fortuitous and successful. Be it a cool show you accidentally stumble into, renewed interest in a record label you had long dismissed or even the incessant humming of a catchy tune you just heard that’s gotten you excited about a band.  There has been a welcome resurgence in rock and roll over the last decade that has allowed for these parameters to be met. It hadn’t seemed likely for some time there, but it’s a great time to experience rock and roll.

King Tuff’s been at it for a number of years now, knowing full well that his greatest appeal is the retention of that lo-fi charm that first endeared him to ears in America. His latest album, Black Moon Spell, has kept the attitude but traded some of the roughness for some welcome chunkiness that takes him from the garage sound to a dirty rock that borders on Blue Cheer heaviness and regional psych of yesteryear. Irreverent, filled with absurd juvenile bravado and blessed with an understanding for saccharine catchiness and head-bopping hooks. Vermont might be known for its artisanal products and those cute teddy bears, but the serene idylls of the forested state have been conducive for some righteous rock and roll.

Mary Timony’s been rocking since the early ‘90s with outfits like Helium and the supergroup Wild Flag. Now with the power pop trio Ex Hex and a debut album released this past October that even turned the heads of the stuffy suits over at the New York Times as a “feel-good, gut punch of a debut” she’s continuing a proud punk rock tradition the DC-native’s had in her veins thanks to the capital’s importance in the punk rock scene. A gig of this caliber couldn’t be complete without the addition of some locals of equal footing and weight, the Jacuzzi Boys. The trio has done nothing but rise and gain popularity since the release of their first 7” back in ’07.

Floridians, South Floridians at that, might be the kings and queens of complaining when it comes to touring acts but fans of rock and roll will have very little to bitch about when this bill blows up the Churchill’s stage on January 17. It doesn’t get any better than this for the price of admission – it truly is a great time to be alive and experience rock and roll.

Strutter USA presents.  RSVP

~ Abel Folgar