Well, I walked into the fun house excited to see the a-frames and highly suspicious of the opening band. Coconut Coolouts. what kind of self respecting band would call itself the “coconut” anythings?

(photo by pdgibson)

They were mid set, delivering a version of “shout” – a song I never thought I would want to hear again. But suddenly it was…exciting! Who’d have guessed? The first thing that struck me was the banana playing bass. Then I recognized the lead singer and guitarist from their former lives in the charming snakes. I like the charming snakes. I like the album Ammunition a lot. It scratches a particular itch that needs scratching pretty often. They bored me to death when they played live, though. Somehow the dynamics were lost and the songs sounded very same-y and a minute or two too long. The snarky humor of lead-guy felt too insider-rock-bored.

But here were many of the same ingredients, but I was feeling giddy and wanting to jump around. Maybe it was the banana. Or the two standing drummers. What a great idea! The snarky quips were now just funny when delivered next to a banana. There was something joyful about those couple three songs I heard. Drummer number two said goodbye and ran out the back door as soon as they finished. A fine way to end.

I was eager for more when I saw they were on a bill a couple of weeks later at the crocodile. This time it was less of a surprise but just as pleasing. The crowd was full of Seattle rockacracy, and all were nodding their heads in appreciation. There were lots of covers (I think) of songs I’m not enough of a music geek to recognize, and they all sounded good. The two drummer thing is genius – both in terms of how it sounds and how it looks. All you tree-like indie rockers take note!