Murder by Death and HaHa Tonka @Off Broadway. March 31, 2010

Let me preface this by saying:  I *LOVE* Off Broadway!

There was an opening band, but I missed them, so I cannot give them the credit they deserve.

This is the second time I've seen HaHa Tonka.  I own one of their cd's, Buckle in the Bible Belt.  Both times I've seen them I've been impressed by their onstage energy.  I love the bassist.  He's got this 70's disco porn look that reminds me of John Oats.  I also love the lead singer's voice.

I like their music because they have a great way of mixing genres.  They dabble in what I like to call 'campfire music' (more of a traditional folk, examples: 'Hangman') and combine it with more of an aggressive alt-country.  My favorite song of theirs to date is 'St. Nick on the Fourth With a Fervor' which I think is a great example of how they combine the 'campfire' style group vocals with the upbeat, more rockin' end of alt-country.  I also really like their newest single 'Walking on the Devil's Backbone' from their new disc, 'Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South'.

The last band of the night was Murder by Death from Bloomington, IN.  I have heard of them by name but I was not familiar with their music.  I will definitely be picking their new disc, 'Good Morning, Magpie'.  They had a great stage presence.  Loved the singer's deep voice, not as deep as The National, but sexy, gravely just the same. I would say they have more of a Gothic sound due to the deeper vocals and 'dangerous' lyrics.  I would put them in a grouping with the Drive-by Truckers and the Reverend Horton Heat, not in a rock-a-billy sense, but more of a Southern, dirty, Gothic kind of way.

I wish I hadn't gotten so into my beverages.  It was unseasonably hot for a March night, what can I say?  I would have had a better review of them otherwise.  Sorry kids.  But they do come with a big, fat, buzzed recommendation from me.  If you want to check out some of their songs I recommend 'Until Morale Improves, the Beating Will Continue' and 'Sometimes the Line Walks You'. They were definite die hard fan favorites and great examples of what to expect from them.

I don't want to forget the Cellist/Pianist, Sarah Balliet.  She was not visible from my standpoint, but she did a fantastic job.