Simon Stokes Steals the Show at Amanda Jo Williams' Residency at the Echo (also John Carpenter and Feeding People)

Daiana Feuer

Simon Stokes, certified badass

WHAT: Amanda Jo Williams, Simon Stokes, John Carpenter, and Feeding People
WHERE: The Echo
WHEN: 4/4/11

Amanda Jo Williams' first Monday night residency show at the Echo set the bar high for this month's exploration of contemporary outlaw culture and family bands. John Carpenter started the night in true form, channeling the 70s through wailing guitar licks and enjoying the addition of a badass keyboard player on a few songs.

The second band, however, might very well have stolen the show. Simon Stokes is what would come out if Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and George Thorogood had an orgy with a she-demon. He growls! He howls! He shouts a chorus to the Grim Reaper: "Come here motherfucker/Cause I'm down for death!"

Simon Stokes' biography is quite impressive - according to his IMDB page, he was a sleepwalker as a child, signed to Elektra the same day as MC5 and later collaborated with Timothy Leary. His music could rile a vampire revolution and his performance is absolutely whistle worthy. Watch him if you can.

Daiana Feuer

Of course, Stokes was at the Echo to celebrate Amanda Jo Williams' residency. She filled the stage and brought down the house in typical fashion. Like John Carpenter's band, Amanda Jo's tribe has grown to include a keyboardist - she and percussionist Feather sport short tight 'fits and joyous dance moves you just can't hate. Amanda Jo sings heart and grit while 5-track delivers an encyclopedic guitar performance. This is a family band on mushrooms served on Texas Toast. Psychedelic, nostalgic, and down to earth.

Daiana Feuer