Special guest show review and photos of Flannel Mouth‘s Pekin, IL show from February 8th, 2014, at Amvets Post 235 (Music Militia Fest) by Jacob Stahl of SwitchBitch Records and Reed City Ruins .
For those that may have missed it, SwitchBitch Records original mad men Flannel Mouth took to the stage at the Music Militia Fest in Pekin, IL this past Saturday evening. The boys were welcomed with great enthusiasm and kicked off their set meeting the electric current of the room.
Straight out of the gate, front man Luke Myers wildly approached the mic, welcoming the crowd “to the scene of the crime” with their fast paced single You’ve Convinced Me. This amped up number effortlessly sets the mood for the duration of the set as the rest of the boys manically flailed themselves about the stage like mental patients confined to instruments rather than straightjackets. Flowing right into their smash hit The .22 off of the 2012 EP, “Pull In Your Horns,” the gents classily bounced back from their first technical difficulty of the evening going on to solidify another great performance. Followed by the shifty tempo of Passing Cops, lead guitarist Zach Hartman defines what it means to shred while bassist Ryan Batalon amusingly took a spill. Being the seasoned pro that he is, Batalon didn’t miss a lick, keeping his line steady and grooving. The show must go on as they say. Drummer Tyler Owen was just as solid as ever displaying his ability to crush the kit with finesse and aesthetic appeal, never wasting a single movement. All this, while providing backing harmonies to Myers and company, not a beat missed.
Rounding off the night, Flannel Mouth performed their latest single Oh Bastard despite Hartman’s amp being uncooperative to say the least. A special thanks is certainly due the hospitable gentlemen from the metal outfit, Killinoise, who graciously stepped up allowing Zach to use their head to pull off another of his multi-talented displays; this time on violin, working the bow like he’s done it his whole life. Bringing the set to a close, the boys unveiled a brand new tune titled The Showdown; however, it soon became apparent that the technical problem might not have been with the amp head itself. Wisely knowing when to cut their losses, Flannel Mouth closed their set short and will most certainly live to slaughter another day.
All frustrations aside, these talented musicians still put on a great show maintaining the same level of energy that they began with, keeping the crowd thoroughly entertained. If you ever get the opportunity see Flannel Mouth live, do not pass it up lest you be considered a damn fool.”
–Jacob Stahl
