Brightest Young Things

all (as expected-INSANE) photos: Ben Droz
all words: Marcus Dowling

Maybe it's time to take Rattler seriously. This is not to say that they don't already themselves (?-ed), but it is time to see Rattler make the assault upon claiming their self-proclaimed throne of, as Scott Rattler would say, "the best fucking band in the world." Even if they fall short, they absolutely have the talent, ability, and cocksure confidence to ensure that they'll possibly die trying. The seven year veteran, eighties hair metal send up hit the Rock and Roll Hotel on Friday night with the concussive impact of thirty-two Mike Tyson uppercuts for their record release event of their debut album Incoming. Supreme Commander and The New Rock Church of Fire very capably supported, and in a concept that needs to be seriously revisited as successful for the city, Tom Lim, Billfold and Stereo Faith spun heavy metal and classic rock between sets.

I tend to be generally of the opinion that Rattler, as presently constituted, by total committal to character alone, are three miles ahead of most any other band at the local developing into nationally capable band level that I've seen anywhere nationwide this year. It's in their desire to fully emulate a hard rockin', groupie panty droppin', beer eatin', turned up to 12 (yes, 12) metal machine at every necessary public and publicity turn that creates the symphony of destruction that occurred on Friday night. Somewhere between getting a "Cocaine Migraine," watching a girl bear witness to the "Panty Incinerator," and "Gettin' Awesome," I had five full beers dumped on my head. I also saw more beer land ON people than IN people. There was also a mosh pit, and somewhere in the midst of all of that DJ Stereo Faith (whose singalong rock ballad warmup set was my most bromantic moment of the year in the city so far) jumped off the stage and was caught, but somehow ended up with two severely lacerated shins. I also saw ten people ejected from the venue. Ten. Insane. Yes, the new album's great. Tracks like "Drink and Destroy," and "Shoot to Kill" are yes, very metal formulaic, but, in doing so are also quite well delivered and meet expectation. It's wonderful to see Rattler making all the right moves to make a successful career of playing rock music. But Rattler's claim to fame at the end of the day? A tight and professional sounding rock outfit that delivers a skullfucking that causes rambunctious juvenile metal lust. On DC, or any city's social calendar, that break from the norm is absolutely necessary.

In interviewing Rattler before the show (DOWNLOAD HERE), and very seriously asking about their influences, it turned into a DC punk and hardcore name drop, punctuated with Guns N Roses' Appetite for Destruction debut. That explains so much of it. Rattler are a throwback to what made DC DC on the map of legendary musical towns. Yes, somewhere between our Clintonian love affair and era of good feeling gone awry and eight years of Republican rule mixed with unrelenting gentrification, we've suddenly gotten old as a city and lost our teeth. Rattler offers a glimpse to bringing them back. This is not a show meant for the wine and cheese crowd at Wolf Trap. This is not a show meant for fist pumpers at the 9:30 Club. This is different. Rattler's the smart band that remembers that the 9:30 Club used to be a helluva lot smaller and sweatier when it was over on 930 F Street.

Rattler's the band that dresses in a manner that makes you believe from appearances that your ribald and potentially dangerous behavior is appreciated. As well, in attitude and talent is an important historical touchpoint for a city rapidly losing a grasp on historical evidence of its former self. A remembrance of things past from where the wild things are. Memorable, quoteworthy and cinematic. Don't think there's really anything else left to say.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
• 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
• 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
• 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
• 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
• 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
• 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club