SadGirl & The Coathangers, live at The Independent

This was a night full of good old punk rock, mosh pits and hedonistic activities that would make even John proud. Shortly before my fellow Snobs and I released AVDIO SNOBBERY I found out that SadGirl would be making a brief stop in town as part of their west coast winter tour.

It wouldn’t be one of my reviews without an opening act that wasn’t my cup of tea. Let’s just leave it at heavy metal guitar riffs, a blackout mask covered in chains and a genre that is apparently referred to as “terri-fi”...45 minutes and a double whiskey later it was finally time for what I was here to see, SadGirl.

I was first introduced to LA’s surf-punk trio SadGirl through their dreamy love song Little Queenie only a few months back and was instantly drawn to their music. I quickly devoured the handful of EPs (do go check them out if not just for their amazing minimalist design) that the band has put out since forming back in 2013 / 2014. There is something in SadGirl’s sound that just screams the sunny beaches and chill vibes of Southern California, just as with The Beach Boys some 50 years ago. Intermixed throughout their set, lead singer and guitarist Misha Lindes would burst classic surf rock inspired guitar solos to the crowds cheers. After playing through nearly their full catalogue, the band ended their set with the song that started it all for me, the crowd pleasing Little Queenie.

Another double whiskey later and it was time for the headlining act of the night, Atanta, Georgia’s own The Coathangers, an all female punk rock trio that formed back in the mid aughts. Knowing absolutely nothing about the band prior to this, I really had no idea what I was in for, but I would soon find out. The band took the stage in fully matching sequin dresses, vaguely reminiscent of The Knife during their Shaking the Habitual Tour, and the crowd was greeted by lead singer Julia Kugel’s surprisingly high pitched voice. The band proceeded to launch head first into their first song, which was likely Watch Your Back off of 2016’s Nosebleed Weekend, and you could feel the energy spread like wildfire through room. For the next hour plus, the band aggressively burned through a setlist that felt like it was at least 20 songs long and included the crowd pleaser, Fuck the NRA. All the while your dear Otacon was busy jumping up and down, moshing in the pit, having the time of his life. For anyone into lo-fi garage / punk rock, I highly recommend that you give one of The Coathangers many full lengths or EPs a listen.

Two amazing punk bands, too many whiskeys to count, a pair of white vans that now look like they were dragged through a coal mine (San Francisco is a dirty, dirty place) and two greasy slices of pizza later, this may just be the most fun that I have had at a show in quite some time dear readers.