2008 Woodie Awards
Daring acts devour Monstros
By: Shea Cardinalli
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Entertainment
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Packed in the sawdust-laden nook known as Monstros Pizza, four post-rock and experimental groups tantalized an audience with their band names and musical talents.
Chico's Red Giant was the first to take the nonexistent stage with its blend of instrumental, thinking-man's metal. There isn't a singer in the band - it just shreds songs for six minutes straight, each member's head banging in unison.
"Red Giant is epic. They have real high energy, and I love how they go heavy then mellow again," said audience member Chris Lyons.
If the sawdust wasn't enough to make audience members feel trapped in a hamster's cage, the smell alone was pretty convincing, reeking of body odor and vomit. Perhaps the sawdust was there for a reason.
Chico Area Pyrate Punx was responsible for the show and the smell. Its countercultural persona, leather jackets and intense odor might scare some, but if it weren't for Pyrate Punx, many shows at Monstros wouldn't be possible.
The audience funneled into the parking lot between bands, eagerly awaiting Seattle-based Helms Alee and Chico's La Fin du Monde, which translates to "the end of the world" in French.
Giant Squid may share part of its name with Red Giant, but none of its musical influences.
Sounding lyrically similar to bands such as Mastodon, Giant Squid's four vocalists screamed into the microphones with aggression, albeit some flat notes. The band was entertaining, but not lauded for its vocal skills.
Showing how hard the cello can rock, Jackie Gratz played a beautiful, white, synthetic cello that looked more like a piece of modern art than an instrument.
Though the cello was a nice touch, it was difficult to pick out what Gratz was playing through the wall of sound. The cello was responsible for much of the low end, but it would have been nice to hear more of its tonality.
Helms Alee was the most interesting band to watch because of drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis beating the crap out of her poor drums.
Helms Alee - "New Roll"
Video from YouTube
With arms flailing in all directions, Matheson-Margullis rocked harder than most male drummers can, with her eyes closed.
Thuds to the chest could be felt as she slammed her sticks on the drums with brashness usually found in death metal.
Lost in the music, Matheson-Margullis would raise her hands in the air with her eyes closed, swaying as if in a trance.
Guitarist Ben Verellen handled looping effects with a flat of pedals at his feet, giving the band a chance to rest for a measure while the ambiance built in intensity.
Helms Alee hooked up with La Fin du Monde via MySpace and have been playing shows in Chico as time allows, said Matheson-Margullis, who has been playing drums for 12 years.
Helms Alee's first full-length album "Night Terror" was released in August, she said.
Album distribution and promotion is as simple as a handshake, Verellen said.
"It's kind of old school, but it works," he said.
Though Hydra Head Records handles the band's distribution efforts, Helms Alee has not signed a record contract with the company, Verellen said.
Monstros emptied to 20 people before La Fin du Monde laid down the cleanest instrumental rock found in Chico.
La Fin Du Monde Live At Chico State
Video from YouTube
Guitarist Chris Roberts deftly provided crunching midtones for the band by playing through two amplifiers while drummer Dan Elsen accented the sound with a touch of jazz on the cymbals.
The sawdust and small space at Monstros gives the venue an enjoyable and cozy quality, making it one of La Fin du Monde's favorites, Roberts said.
"The space brings people closer to the band, we love everything about this venue," he said.
Shea Cardinalli can be reached at
scardinalli@theorion.com
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