Tulip Frenzy

America’s hardest working band brought Hitsburg, USA to the Nation’s Capital last night, playing at the 930 Club for the first time since it’s 30th Birthday party on Memorial Day.  They were opening for Southern Culture On The Skids, drawn to perform their boss folklore act to the home of the Smithsonian Institution, a city JFK famously said crossed Southern efficiency with Northern charm.

The spirit of JFK hung with us, as the ‘Tones high kicked their way through an all-too short, nonetheless exuberant set that witnessed everything from a salute to the Ramones, an incredible song we’ve never heard before about mean rats in the kitchen, to an instrumental cover of the Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” “Theme From The Vindicators” was played by Keith standing on a borrowed chair in the center of the club, and ultimately Peter triumphantly belted out the lyrics to “First Date (Are You Coming On To Me.”  Why JFK?  Well, growing up in Canada, Ken might have missed this, but surely Bill, Peter, and Keith are of an age to remember those Presidential Physical Fitness badges you had to earn back in the day — at least it would seem they remembered them as they got much of the crowd down on all fours during “Push Up Man.”

All we know is we got an unexpected work out, though as always, it was our cheek muscles that ached, for grinning like a goblin for an hour at a time is exhausting.  We left 9:30 with SCOTS “Voodoo Cadillac” stamped into our brain, marveling at how the Fleshtones can encourage mass mania, this time in support of physical fitness, 100+ shows each year, lo these many years.  Thanks, guys.  And we look forward to hearing the fruits of your labor in the studio with Lenny.