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The Comancheros, hailing from Columbia, MO, brought a unique and captivating twist to the music scene during The Darkness’ “Permission to Land 20th Anniversary tour”. Often described as “Heavy Western,” they made quite an impression as they journeyed alongside The Darkness. Starting in San Francisco at the beginning of the month they eventually made their way back to their hometown area, Kansas City, gracing the stage at the Truman.
Dressed in striking Solid Red Western outfits, the Comancheros’ combine elements of country rock with a heavy Western influence. The standout feature of their live performances is the drummer’s boundless energy, frequently venturing out to engage with the crowd, ensuring the energy levels remained sky-high between songs. His drum solo was nothing short of mesmerizing, as he flawlessly balanced his rhythm while chugging down the remainder of his beer.
Although the Comancheros have yet to fully penetrate the mainstream music scene, their performance during their set was nothing short of memorable, this performance left a trail of new fans in their wake, drawn to their engaging stage presence, incredible guitar solos, and their fusion of feel-good classic rock with a distinct country twang. The Comancheros are a band to watch closely, as they continue to carve their unique niche in the world of music.
My knowledge of The Darkness began with their first hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” a song that has remained a constant in constant rotation for nearly two decades in my head. However, it was only recently that I decided to delve into their full album and experience the band’s entire body of work. What I discovered was a musical journey that drew inspiration from the rock legends like Queen, Aerosmith, and the exuberant spirit of 80s hair metal.
The album, while tracks like “Keep Your Hands off of My Girl,” “Stuck in a Rut,” and “Love on the Rocks with No Ice,” proved to be a delightful surprise, these songs, along with the rest of the album, filled the 41-minute runtime with satisfying guitar riffs and infectious hooks. It’s nonchalant spirit was captivating, and was easy to be drawn into the fun and carefree world of The Darkness. Kicking the album’s promotion off with the music video for “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” served as a perfect embodiment of the band’s style: fun, colorful, silly, and certainly gave very few fucks. And so, with high expectations, I found myself at The Truman.
I don’t recall any show, in recent memory, where I had so much fun. Both bands were overwhelmingly entertaining, it was the Darkness that drew me to the stage. From the moment “Black Shuck” started, The Darkness had the audience by their eyeballs and earholes. Bright Lights and a cocky swagger brimming with confidence and energy, they reminded me what it means to have fun at a show. Sometimes I’ve found myself feeling in and out of a show, enjoying bits and pieces but generally slightly entertained. Perhaps the gamut of emotions the show had was too wide of a net, maybe the artist just wasn’t in it, who’s to say what, but the night was off some way. This was different.
Not once did I feel the lack of interest on stage, not minding what is happening. There was always a need to keep eyes on the stage and see what feat was occurring. Lead Singer Justin Hawkins’ exhilarating presence and talent, hitting high falsetto notes to playing the closing guitar riff while on security’s shoulders being marched through the crowd, consumed me. After photographers were finished in the pit, he had the courtesy to ask if we got any good shots. We did, Justin. We did.
At the end of their main set, Justin requested that the audience refrain from filming “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” a bold move that encouraged fans to be present in the moment rather than behind their screens. Also, if you want to see the performance, come to the show.
As the encore began, the band reemerged in nighttime attire, wearing pajamas and bathrobes. This marked a delightful shift in the night’s pace, as they slowed things down with a love song, providing a perfect conclusion to a night filled with music, humor, and undeniable fun. The Darkness had not only entertained but also left a lasting impression as a band unafraid to break the mold of seriousness in the music industry.
