Freaker Scene: 12-29-2009 Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Ken Valdez @ 1st Avenue mainroom

12-29-2009 Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Ken Valdez @ 1st Avenue mainroom

Big Head Todd & the Monsters enliven the crowd.

One downtown ritual I’ve enjoyed for years is Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the mainroom of First Avenue. It remains a true joy for me. You can tell they love to play this historic room & always bring their most potent juice.

Ken Valdez did a good funk infused set to open the night. Then it was BHTMs for over 2 hours straight including a captivating crowd pleasing encore. Some of the songs heard were multiple climaxing “City on Fire”, signature “Bittersweet”, trip tangled “Tangerine”, John Lee Hooker’s blues boogie burn “Boom Boom” & sonic soaked “Conquistador” with some brand new songs sprinkled in nicely.

TPM & BHTM perform "City on Fire"

When I first met bandleader Todd Park Mohr was in 1991 at the Cabooze. He reminded me then of Neil Young. Now; he’s still the same warm friendly guy & down to earth talent he was then. Their music has evolved sweetly over the years & many records as well as countless stunning live shows. Go big. You will never look back.