Cult Objects Amulet Release Show
Published 1.23.26
Thursday the 12th was the release show for Cult Object's new record: Amulet!! It was upstairs at Johnny Brenda's, a place where I find myself constantly. One thing I'll say about JBs is that I'm seldom able to take a good picture in there. Fog machines are a friend to the vibe but an enemy to my Nikon Coolpix (which is old enough to drive). Not that the photos I post of bands are any good anyway.
First up were Chancers. They're a newish band I think. To be honest, during the first three songs of their set I didn't get it but the fourth song they played was good and after that it all kind of clicked into place for me. I've listened to what they're released so far and I'm not sure which song on the EPs was the one I liked live but I do like the song Chancer (kind of has a Killers type thing happening in the beginning) and also Devil Emoji. Overall I think a lot of it is too slow for me (I'm a simple creature). It is kind of funny though, their whole set I was thinking "I'm kind of getting a Roy Orbitson David Lynch vibe somehow" and sure enough they finished their set with a cover of Anything You Want You Got It (absolute ripper).
Next up was Nympho. I love them, honestly they get more and more fun for me each time I see them. I think they're focused in what they do and they're committed to it and because of that it works. They had a sound board which they did not have the last time I saw them and I like it for them. Great band to listen to if you like having sex and being insane. Their music is hard and fast and the content is pretty much pure id spewage(/pos), but there's some parts to dance to too.
Last up was Cult Objects playing songs off their new record and a few others. These guys love to write songs, so they're always showing up with new material. By the time the next album comes out, they'll be playing even newer unreleased songs, I'm sure. At the very least, their sets are never stale and even though it's tough not being able to listen to the songs you love live at home but I've always preferred their live sound anyways, so it's all the more reason to get to the gig!
Their set was great. I've been going to Cult Objects shows for a few years now and they've gotten sharper and sharper. I love love love the new record (been loving the songs off it for some time). It's true goth awesomeness and it's very 80s but it doesn't feel derivative or played out (which in the age of copy paste tik tok darkwave feels like a miracle). They even played an old song as an encore. They very rarely play things off their first EP live anymore so that was a treat.
My favorite song off the record is Diamond Dust. It's a certified ass-shaker. Hearing the percussion in the beginning live actually makes me go insane. There were a lot of points in the set where I got completely lost in the music. Bands that are able to make me be in the moment like that aren't easy to come by.
Also a big shout out to Annie on drums! There are a lot of inventive percussive elements on this record. I always like a mix of live drums and a drum pad but having chimes and sometimes a maraca as a drum stick is so cool. A less-skilled percussionist using those tools might come off as gimmicky, but it sounds amazing!
It was a spectacular show. Three band bills are honestly the best and this line-up was fun! I definitely recommend listening to Amulet and watching the music video for Diamond Dust!