Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

Review–NOMO at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010

– review by Nutty Bearpaws/photos by Jessica Bardosh

Opening band: an upstart gang of young whipper-snappers calling themselves Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. Aptly named, as they are from a little hamlet somewhere between Mt. St. Helens and Vietnam, known as Seattle. They came out swinging, like they had something to prove, or as if to say, “We’re like an unpredictable Arcade Fire, and you need us.” They delivered an intense set of songs that were at times catchy, at times jangly, at times scream-y, at times controlled noisy chaos, and at other times, not very noisy at all. I think it’s called “dynamic”, and these kids nailed it. They took a semi-packed hall of concert goers all over the place. When they moved, we moved, especially the bouncing, swaying shaven head guy at the front, who clearly was picking up what the Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band were putting down. Side-note: the drummer looks like he’s 13 years old, because he is.

NOMO at the Biltmore Cabaret, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

NOMO at the Biltmore Cabaret, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

Afro-beaters Nomo complemented its openers nicely, and took the growing crowd from a bob-and-weave to an all-out bump-and-grind. They had horns, and people love horns. I’d forgotten how much I love horns until these guys showed up and blew the sh*t out of their respective horns, all at a rhythmic pace that kept the crowd bouncing.

The highlight came near the end, as highlights often do, when members of the band sauntered into the crowd one by one, taking their non-corded instruments with them. Horns! Yes!! And played an inspired bit of horny goodness as cheering fans swirled around them. Definitely a highlight. The low-light was drinking $3.50 PBR’s like they were going out of style, then deciding that one slice of late-night pizza wasn’t enough, and that a double burger on the bbq at home would be a nice light snack before bed. I don’t know why my organs put up with me. Thank you Nomo, you were great, but you remind me of indigestion.

More Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band photos

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

Mt St Helens Band at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo

Merch table, the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Jan 30 2010. Jessica Bardosh photo