It's time to pay attention to That Darn Kat, everyone

I have some friends.

Those friends have a band and that band is friggin’ awesome. Here’s why!

Last week at Macallans in Dorval, That Darn Kat took the stage – as they will this coming weekend at Ribfest in St. Lazare – and they pumped out a set for the ages. The energy in the bar was palpable and magnetic. The music moved people in ways I haven’t seen in a long time – probably not since I last saw Great Big Sea in 2004.

It started on a high note -- and only got better from there.

As I took my seat, That Darn Kat – made up of Bernie Noradounkian on lead guitar, Ron Dort on bass, Asher Fischer on drums, my old hockey buddy Mike Pasternak on keyboards and the irrepressible Erin Malone on vocals, took the stage.

Dort and Fischer formed an outstanding pair on keeping the band rhythm throughout the high-energy set, which spanned about two hours and fifteen minutes, and there wasn’t a single wasted minute on stage.

Dort played traffic cop on stage, guiding the band’s rhythm as Fischer’s drumming drove the beat forward impressively. Fischer has been doing this for a long time and both his and Dort’s passion for what they do shone through. Fischer, who has been a staple of Montreal's music scene for decades, pounded the drums so hard I felt sorry for them.

Bernie Noradounkian – well, it’s hard to really put words to his outstanding musicianship. His opening riff on She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult – the band’s closing song – was an iconic take on the familiar hit, and it was AMAZING. His ease of moving through different solos was also impressive, with one particularly good solo on Smells Like Teen Spirit that made me feel like in was 1991 all over again. I felt stupid, and contagious and that solo entertained me – just like everything else they were doing that night.

Pasternak was on the keyboards and just like when I used to play hockey against him and try to go to the net when he was playing defense, he brought so much passion and commitment to his craft that it was immediately evident.

That brings us to lead singer Erin Malone’s contribution, because she rocked the house. Malone sang her ass off on a kick-ass cover of Concrete Blonde’s Joey, and showed off her impressive range on hits of yesteryear such as Mr. Jones (Counting Crows), One (U2) and a medley comprising Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus and Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor.

In a word, incredible!

Malone’s vocals – and the energy the band was putting out – drew so many people to the front of the stage to dance that I couldn’t actually see the stage from my (relatively close) seat. I haven’t seen that in years. When Malone channeled her inner Natalie Merchant on a cover of Because the Night by 10,000 Maniacs, you could actually hear the crowd ooh-ing and aah-ing with every word. That doesn’t make mention of her rendition of I Touch Myself by the Divinyls, which is to be heard to be believed.

She had the crowd in the palm of her hand – and didn’t let go. For the whole two hours and change!

The band’s last three songs – Abba’s Gimme Gimme Gimme, the aforementioned Smells like Teen Spirit and She Sells Sanctuary – nearly brought the house down, and when they finished up, I was ready for a nap. What a ride.

That said, I don’t actually know how good the band is. I can’t speak authoritatively on musicianship and peoples’ ability to play and produce music. Can’t do it. I don’t have the knowledge base for that.

BUT

I know energy, and That Darn Kat was bringing it to Macallans by the barrelful. I left the bar that night inspired to write this piece and to tell you all about it. It was as easy a decision as this blog has ever had!

They will play again this Saturday at 5 p.m. at St. Lazare’s Ribfest – but keep in mind, West Island readers, the Ile aux Tourtes Bridge will be closed for repairs all weekend.

Bedard Park will be rocking with the sounds of That Darn Kat!

A subsequent on-island show will be held October 18 at Brasserie des Rapides in LaSalle. Showtime is still TBD.

Here’s the set list:

1. ZZ Top-Gimme All Your Lovin'

2. Counting Crows-Mr. Jones

3. Teddy Swims-The Door

4. 10,000 Maniacs-Because the Night

5. Cruel to Be Kind- Letters to Cleo

6. Divinyls-I Touch Myself

7. No Doubt-Just a Girl

8. Free-All Right Now

9. The Outfield-Your Love

10. Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run

BREAK

1 No Doubt-It's My Life

2. Linda Ronstadt-You're No Good

3. Concrete Blonde-Joey (just WOW!!!)

4. U2-One

5. Miley Cyrus-Wrecking Ball /Sinead O' Connor-Nothing Compares 2 U medley

6. Derek and the Dominoes-Layla

7. Blondie-Call Me

8. ABBA-Gimme Gimme Gimme

9. Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit

10. The Cult-She Sells Sanctuary