Koffin Kats in Atlanta At The Earl

Written and Captured By | Raymond Kao

Fans braved one of the coldest days on one of the coldest weeks in Atlanta for the opportunity to see Koffin Kats play at the Earl.

The show started with Lightnin’ Luke, who left the audience captivated with his soulful, passionate, and sincere performance. Hailing from Portland and now calling Charleston, SC home, this versatile artist showcased his prowess as a singer, songwriter… and fiddle player! Luke’s strong and bluesy vocals lent power to the stories he told with his songs, including one called “The Only Cowboy Bar in Portland”. The audience was treated to a night of musical diversity, from the soul-stirring ballads to the foot-stomping fiddle tunes. Luke’s stage presence exuded authenticity and his interactions with the audience added a personal touch.

See more photos of Lightnin’ Luke HERE

A sentence you will never read again in your lifetime: the second act, going by El Capitan and the Reluctant Sadists, is a Satanic-themed five-piece instrumental surf band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band, wearing matching pentagram shirts and dimly lit in crimson hues, set out to cast a spell on the audience. Each member of the Reluctant Sadists brought their unique flair to the stage, contributing to a seamless fusion of dark, surf-inspired sounds – imagine the old animated Scooby Doo chase scenes, except being chased by the Courage the Cowardly Dog monsters. It was eclectic, powerful, and massively entertaining.

See more photos of El Capitan and the Reluctant Sadists HERE

The Koffin Kats are a psychobilly/punk band from Detroit consisting of Vic Victor (vocals and upright bass), Tommy Koffin (guitar), and Eric “E Ball” Walls (drums). This was my first time seeing an upright bass being played in a band setting, and I’ll admit it stole much of my attention that night. It helps that Victor showcased an unparalleled ability to maneuver the heavy bass with both finesse and strength, effortlessly navigating the strings while commanding the stage with his vocals. He played it over his head, behind his back, hugging it from behind, swung it around, stood on top of it – and at one point, Koffin and Victor swapped instruments in an impressive display of musical dexterity. This kind of energy was reflected from the crowd, who was overwhelmingly enjoying the auditory and visual experience. If you have the chance to see them in your city, it’s worth the time, especially as they celebrate 20 years together. You can find their tour information on their website at www.koffinkatsrock.com.

 

See more photos of Koffin Kats HERE

Photos By | Raymond Kao