COLUMBUS, OH- On an appropriately gloomy, rainy, and blustery day in Columbus, OH, The 69 Eyes brought their “Death of Darkness” U.S. tour to a stop at the King of Clubs. The tour supports their latest release, bearing the same name. The turnout wasn’t as large as I had hoped, but the bands performed as if it were a sold-out venue. The audience was a diverse mix of ages, featuring goths in full makeup and attire, metalheads, rockers, and avid concert-goers. A shoutout to the staff at TKOC – they were incredibly kind and accommodating. It’s a fantastic venue.
The evening kicked off with Budderside from LA, who worked hard as they took the stage, delivering a mind-blowing performance. Singer Patrick Stone showcased superior vocal chops and proved to be a competent frontman for the 5-piece rock troop. Guitarists Logan Nikolic and Sam “Bam” Kolton, bassist Ricky Bonanza, and drummer Kyle Hughes rounded out the band, bringing a high-energy set that had the crowd pumped and ready to rock. Their anthemic songs are finely crafted to resonate with any stage setting. Their charisma engaged everyone present.
Their music is heavy, with huge, anthemic choruses and wild guitar solos – they’re definitely a band worth checking out. I was so impressed that I purchased both of their full-length albums. I’ll be keeping a weathered eye out for the next chance to see them live. Song that they performed included “Ghostlighting”, “Good For Nothing”, “The Truth”, “Too Far”, “Never Worth It”, “Joker” and “Voices”.
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Having never experienced either opening band before, I was thoroughly impressed by both. The Bites took the stage next, continuing the rock ‘n’ roll onslaught. Singer Jordan Tyler, exuding that LA band swagger, embodied the sleazy, Sunset Strip party vibe that’s integral to this brand of rock. The whole band, including drummer Mark Hylander, guitarist Jono Richer, and bassist Zack Currier, fully engaged with the audience and those of us in the photo pit. They’re a must-see act.
They burst onto the stage with “Knockin’ on the Door,” “Squeeze,” and “Dirty City” in quick succession, then briefly diverged into the first verse of “War Pigs.” Their intense commitment to their aesthetic was captivating. They concluded their 8-song set with “Cold, Clean Lady,” “Heather Leather,” “Pretty Boys,” and “Do Me A Favor.” These tracks (with the exception of the Sabbath cover) are on their debut album, which also captures their live energy and is certainly worth a listen.
It’s often claimed that “Rock Is Dead” – I strongly disagree (take note, Gene Simmons). Rock is very much alive in the capable hands of Budderside and The Bites.
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After an extended set change, the all-too-familiar sound of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” played over the PA. The Helsinki Vampires took the stage, building up to the last note before launching into “Devils”. The tour, promoting their recent album “The Death of Darkness”, featured a 17-song set with many hits from their 34-year history. Their brand of Goth ‘n’ Roll is as significant to the genre as that of Bauhaus or The Sisters of Mercy. The band engaged the audience with a joyfulness that contrasted with the melancholic vibe of their music.
Though the deep, rich vocals of Jyrki 69 are the centerpiece, they function as a cohesive unit and appear to enjoy each other’s company. Guitarists Bazie and Timo-Timo, bassist Archzie, and drummer Jussi 69, whose lineup has remained unchanged since 1992, have consistently released new music throughout their tenure.
As the audience cheered, danced, and sang along to songs like “Betty Blue”, the darkly romantic “Black Orchid”, the eponymous “Death of Darkness”, and “Drive”, the atmosphere reached a boiling point. The latter half of the main set, featuring “Gothic Girl”, “Burn Witch Burn”, and “I Love The Darkness in You”, was met with passionate participation. Even Jussi 69 got caught up, standing atop his drum kit. By the time they played “Brandon Lee”, which pays homage to the late actor and his final film, “The Crow”, I was completely absorbed.
The main set concluded with “Dance d’Amour” and “Framed in Blood”, cementing an already vibrant and varied performance. They returned for a two-song encore with Boycott’s “Gotta Rock” and their own “Lost Boys”, which seems to pay tribute to vampires and perhaps the movie of the same name. In any case, The 69 Eyes is a band that’s worth seeing again and again. I’m glad I braved the mild rainstorm for the 2.5-hour journey to the show. As the U.S. tour wraps up, the band heads to South America and Europe for the next leg. If you can, catch them – it’s an excellent showcase of great music.
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