Concert review: Trebuchet at the Boiler Room in Denton (June 26)

by Josh Hogan of My Denton Music

In one of the most bizarre nights the Denton music scene has witnessed in a while, Trebuchet, Peacemaker, and Siren City rocked out for the packed house at The Boiler Room, while The Vixens of Vaudeville had the unfortunate duty of closing the show amidst swirling rumors of the death of Denton's most venerable and beloved musician.

Friday night started out about the same as most other nights do in this town. Musicians unloaded their gear into the various clubs, bars, and houses around every corner of nearly every street around the square. Music fans emerged from their homes as the brutal sun finally disappeared and began trickling in to the venues, including The Boiler Room underneath The Abbey Inn. It was there, where around ten o'clock, Siren City took the stage in front of a meager crowd to say the best, but they held their own up there and put together a very solid and lively set. With a sound similar to Coheed and Cambria but with more testosterone and less gimmick, and a lead singer in Randy Stephens who can do something incredible with his voice to where if you were facing the opposite direction -- you might think a velociraptor had made its way on stage -- Siren City has evolved into one of the area's most legitimate and exciting young bands.

By the time the ever-philanthropic Peacemaker took the stage, the crowd had swelled to consume the majority of the main stage area of the bar and were in a frenzy for this Dallas-based band who has clearly established a following which is both devoted and numerous. But the way in which they have accomplished this is what may be the most interesting. Their edict is simple enough and I think any fan of good live music will appreciate it: First create music worth listening to. (Genius, I know.) But the way these guys approach that idea is what really sets them apart. They want to be the breath of fresh air that rock music so desperately craves. As lead singer Austin Shelton put it, "rock music isn't dead, it's very much alive. But it does not have to be the same ol' stereotypical crap we are used to." Second, make your music available. And Peacemaker has gone above and beyond on this step as well. Not only do they play show after show after show with the same fury and intensity, but they have also released their new EP entitled The Reconstruction of the Ossicular Chain (named for the medical procedure bass player Raymond Kidd underwent to allow hearing in one of his ears) for free download on the band's website. Come on, how cool is that? And so far it has worked out for them. They are entertaining, exciting, and a solid overall group. Not quite revolutionary just yet, but they certainly have the right attitude and talent to achieve their dreams of reinventing Rock & Roll.

After the raucous performance from Peacemaker, up stepped Trebuchet to the main stage. This Denton area band has one of the best live shows around and they were on full display for the crowd Friday. It seems every time I see them live I am astonished at just how crisp and on point every aspect of their performance is, while at the same time keeping the air of spontaneity alive throughout. I have recommended this band to just about every one I know who is into good hard rock music, and will continue to do so. If you have not grabbed a copy of Bear and The Moon, Trebuchet's debut double disc album, what on earth are you waiting for? It will be more than worth it when you finally get your hands on this album. But to really get this band, you have to see them live. For those of you who attended on Friday night, you know what I mean!

Trebuchet wrapped up their set and made way for the final act of the evening, The Vixens of Vaudeville and their over-the-top burlesque performance. Things were going just fine, the lovely ladies were about three skits in to their show, and the crowd who remained was plenty more than three drinks into the evening, and the "whoops" and catcalls filled the air.

And then something strange happened. I am not sure where it got started or who started it, but somehow the classless and disrespectful rumor that Pops Carter had passed away was created. Despite the beloved icon's well-being, the back-fence talk swirled and for whatever reason, the falsehood slipped by enough filters to make its way on stage where it was announced to the crowd, by the Vixens' emcee, Dr. Q. To his credit, Dr. Q was more than respectful, as he offered a moment of silence for the seemingly departed Pops, before having to somehow will the stunned crowd back into good spirits.

The rest of the night was a blur. The Vixens finished their performance, which was hindered greatly due to the overall mood of the evening after the falsehood was announced. It is a shame too. They were putting on a great show.

It was not until Saturday afternoon that we got confirmation that the information regarding "Pops' demise had been greatly exaggerated," according to a message we received from Pops Carter and the Funkmonsters From Outer Space's MySpace page. It is a shame that Friday night's activities were overshadowed by this horrific rumor, but thankfully that is all it ended up being. Just a rumor.