Lazer Hog

Stupidity aside, not only was the community outpouring touching, but the attention they paid to the bands that were playing was very heartwarming and genuine. It truly felt like a night that the "creative spirit" I mentioned in my last piece had taken to enjoy itself. Every band was fantastic, from OK Robot getting things started to members of Lazer Hog playing along to the piñata destruction before closing out the night in one of the most exciting finales I've witnessed in recent memory.

Closing out the night was Lazer Hog, a band I'd only heard of and had not seen. They seemed like nice guys when I met them; not a hint of ego in their orbit. The Donald Trump piñata preceded their performance, giving them a comfortable moment in which to set up and await their set time. As the piñata gets beaten repeatedly by excited patrons, bassist Pat Garza sits at the steps of Yerberia Cultura's main stage, watching and adding musical textures to the destruction. No one seems to notice, and yet, I'm willing to bet that looking back on the evening, every single person will remember loud bass rumbles scoring their violent outbursts at this piñata, completely unconcerned with their origins. Being at bars, clubs and shows kind of gives you this weird ability to put music in the background of your experience, to where you are aware of it but it is not your main focus, and in fact ends up adding a 'mood' to your experience, be it drinking or eating either with friends or alone, or even using the bathroom. It helps this idea exist where eveyrone is living in their own personal movie. Anyway. Once the piñata was disfigured to the satisfaction of the public, the crowd returned to the main stage as Lazer Hog's amps came to life with a rolling growl only to be peirced by Chris Garcia's howling vocals. What followed was a set that left not only my ears ringing but my brain as well. Lazer Hog are not a band after your attention, nor your interest or approval. They're a band of talented musicians who seem to simply enjoy playing music, and damn are they good at it. Vocalist Chris Garcia's movement on stage is both interpretive and destructive, giving his lyrics a malleable physical form, while the rest of the band moves as their playing requires.

Pat Garza's basslines are both tasty and tasteful; a sweet filling between layers of Danny Villareal's commanding guitar lines and Eduardo Trujillo's essential drum work. I haven't had the privilege of seeing The Jesus Lizard live, but I imagine this must be what it's like.

The band ended their set, and the night, by throwing their bodies down on the stage, their amps erupting in a wall of noise while they lay still on the stage. A very striking finish.

I highly recommend that anyone reading this go see this band the next chance you get. Pure exhileration. Pachanga Fest was one of the most fun night's I've had at Yerberia Cultura since its opening, and has set a high bar for shows to come. And again, a big thank you to everyone who came and donated money or other items to Sacred Heart Church, your generosity will not go unnotticed in the hearts of the weary travelers making the church their temporary home - U-¶√πk (Andres)