The Coming of the Plague (vendor)

Plague Vendor(Gig review)

By Zoso A.

On November 11, was the second show of Whittier based Garage punk band Plague Vendor, having a monthly residency in Downtown L.A.'s nightspot, the 5 Star Bar. This small yet lively bar and music venue can quickly fill up its capacity, for people to attend and watch many diverse acts perform.

Every night is a new line up with new bands to play, however, for the first timer to check out 5 Star Bar on this particular evening will be in for a musical shot of adrenaline to last well into the night.

Plague Vendor kicks off their set with a song called "Black Sap Scriptures". When hearing this song, one automatically feels a rush from their ears and to their feet making the head bop in metronome, as vibrating drums encourages the crowd to bust a move across the dance floor.

There's an obvious mixture of the regulars and new lambs within the audience for Plague Vendor tonight. People who are here for the first time, unbeknownst of what they are in store for, along with a well seasoned demographic of dedicated fans of the band. Halfway throughout their set, Plague Vendor plays a song where their own band name humorously enough, happens to be the running chorus that has got quite an addictive hook to it. The beginning of the song is where their drummer taking lead with his heavy yet rapid drum hits, suddenly then takes a 90 degree turn, with bass now joining in while wearing a ninja like mask over his face, and crossing into a more funkier tune.

Each member delivers an effective drive through their instruments, at an unforgiving velocity. At this point during the show, everyone in the venue has been proven guilty of involuntary perspiring , with every song performed, not an ounce of energy was held back. The lead vocalist becomes all leg movement in the performance. Spider-like movements are his expertise when moving around on stage.

By the end of their set, Plague Vendor closes with a rapid little ditty that leaves the vocalist with half of his t-shirt astray, barefoot, and using his boots as gloves as they slip over his hands. Making his way from off the stage by walking on all fours, He now prowls across the dance floor. The audience don't lack in the dancing, even until the very last beat echoing throughout the room, its symbol for the show's closing.

Sounds like: The Sonics

The Troggs

The Hives