Palma Violets w/ Public Access T.V. and Tangerine
Tractor Tavern, Ballard, WA
06.01.15
Beyond even the most informed expectations, British band Palma Violets whipped the crowd at Tractor Tavern into a chaotic dance floor frenzy with their unbridled rock. On the road supporting last month’s sophomore release Danger in the Club, the band was unruly, intoxicated, and rocking as hard as ever. While there’s cleaner production on the new album, the band’s sound hasn’t veered far from the rabble-rousing pub rock path that the guys are known for.
Before even taking the stage, guitarist Alexander “Chilli” Jesson has been out partying and dancing with the crowd during opener Public Access TV’s set (he and Palma Violets frontman Sam Fryer also joined them for a song). By the time PV took the stage, the crowd was pulsing, the band was weaving, and the night was still young. “Chilli” opened the set by dedicating it to “Tony who gave him a $1 bill,” and they took off into the rambunctious “Rattlesnake Highway” from their 2013 release 180. The cacophony and chaos only grew from there.
Keys man Pete Mayhew seemed the anchor in the storm, with melodies that echoed the heyday of classic rock, while drummer Will Doyle brought the heavy beats that mark a major differentiator on this second album. For “Best of Friends,” John Eatherly and Xan Aird of Public Access TV came out for some hyperactive, sexually charged, sweat-fueled participation with Palma Violets. And then the guys ran right into “We Found Love” that found “Chilli” crowd surfing over a tiny mosh pit. If you’re a fan of the rambunctious, grittily interactive sound of Palma Violets, then their live show is not to be missed.
While opener Public Access TV was a perfect pairing, the surprise of the night was local band Tangerine, whose grungy surf-pop was an offbeat, but party-ready intro to the fun.
See our interview with Palma Violets here and cop the new album for some DIY chaos.
Palma Violets Set List
Rattlesnake Highway
All The Garden Birds
Girl, You Couldn’t Do Much Better On The Beach
English Tongue
Tom The Drum
Gout! Gang! Go!
Best of Friends
We Found Love
Matador
Step Up For The Cool Cats
Johnny Bagga’ Donuts
The Jacket Song
Danger In The Club
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Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini
Palma Violets
Public Access T.V.
Tangerine
