Only Flesh

Show Review:


The Ugly Monkey
Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006


Upon arriving at The Ugly Monkey, my first time at the dive bar, a grinning crowd formed on the back patio as Shrapnel, the lighting effects/sampling master of Columbus, Ohio-based rock/metal/punk band Only Flesh, pierced sterile hooks through vocalist Rev. Lower's back. I cringed. The night's opening band, female-fronted Dead End Drive In (www.myspace.com/deadenddrivein) had already finished its early set, so patrons milled about outside. Meanwhile, Only Flesh bandmates Ron T. (guitar), Dreggs (drums) and Damien (bass) swung carefree from the bar's porch, surrounded by empty cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Though watching Rev. Lower get stuck like a pig with giant fish hooks seemed distracting enough, something else caught my eye from across the street. White Castle shined like a beacon, so I dragged Ron T. to grab some cheeseburgers with me as the second band set up their equipment. The sinful burgers slid down my throat while we reminisced about the Dayton, Ohio music scene of which we both were a part a few years ago. He told me Only Flesh has three more shows this week. They'll hit Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio on their mini-tour, looking forward to long hours and little sleep while simultaneously working their day jobs.

By 10 p.m., Order of the Black Hand (www.myspace.com/orderoftheblackhand) started playing back at The Ugly Monkey -- more death metal than I expected, but they were good at what they did, finishing their set with an enthusiastic cover of a Samhain tune. Order of the Black Hand played aggressive, well-rehearsed black metal -- 'the most metal you'll hear all night,' according to singer Sniper X, ex-Cadavers member. (He assured me fans can see more of the band on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 'Casa Del Kotex' behind the Emerson Theater in Indianapolis for a public, all-ages costume party and concert).

Rev. Lower of Only Flesh

Thirty minutes later, Only Flesh (www.onlyflesh..) began setting up, and I noticed their artistic lighting equipment -- tripods covered in disrobed, beheaded Barbie doll bodies, crucifixes and adult novelty toys -- good for a chuckle, at least. Void of their usual stripper go-go dancers, the show was still far from tame.

Rev. Lower sang two songs as he swung from four flesh hooks attached to a rafter beam, his back bleeding. The crowd reacted with cheers and smoked heavily. Dreggs seemed pleasant in his 'Dead Girls Don't Say No' punker-pants T-shirt remnant, but though the band shocked with its show, the guys were fairly down-to-earth. Bassist Damien, whom I've never met in person until now, had a Mystery Addicts/dark poet look to him, though his riffs were deeply devilish, and Shrapnel put on a light show most do-it-yourself bands would envy, even shooting sparks from a metal grinder and having his own flesh pulled by partner-in-crime Rev. Lower. Staying true to the pure rock and Social Distortion-fueled guitar riffs he honed while performing in The Crotch Rockets and The Jackalopes, Ron T. brought a steady, familiar guitar lead to the music. He helped Only Flesh wind down with covers of 'Bang Your Head' by Quiet Riot and 'Halloween' by The Misfits, encouraging the bar's owner to invite them back in a few months.
- The Ugly Monkey

Show Review:


The Ugly Monkey
Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006


Upon arriving at The Ugly Monkey, my first time at the dive bar, a grinning crowd formed on the back patio as Shrapnel, the lighting effects/sampling master of Columbus, Ohio-based rock/metal/punk band Only Flesh, pierced sterile hooks through vocalist Rev. Lower's back. I cringed. The night's opening band, female-fronted Dead End Drive In (www.myspace.com/deadenddrivein) had already finished its early set, so patrons milled about outside. Meanwhile, Only Flesh bandmates Ron T. (guitar), Dreggs (drums) and Damien (bass) swung carefree from the bar's porch, surrounded by empty cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Though watching Rev. Lower get stuck like a pig with giant fish hooks seemed distracting enough, something else caught my eye from across the street. White Castle shined like a beacon, so I dragged Ron T. to grab some cheeseburgers with me as the second band set up their equipment. The sinful burgers slid down my throat while we reminisced about the Dayton, Ohio music scene of which we both were a part a few years ago. He told me Only Flesh has three more shows this week. They'll hit Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio on their mini-tour, looking forward to long hours and little sleep while simultaneously working their day jobs.

By 10 p.m., Order of the Black Hand (www.myspace.com/orderoftheblackhand) started playing back at The Ugly Monkey -- more death metal than I expected, but they were good at what they did, finishing their set with an enthusiastic cover of a Samhain tune. Order of the Black Hand played aggressive, well-rehearsed black metal -- 'the most metal you'll hear all night,' according to singer Sniper X, ex-Cadavers member. (He assured me fans can see more of the band on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 'Casa Del Kotex' behind the Emerson Theater in Indianapolis for a public, all-ages costume party and concert).

Rev. Lower of Only Flesh

Thirty minutes later, Only Flesh (www.onlyflesh..) began setting up, and I noticed their artistic lighting equipment -- tripods covered in disrobed, beheaded Barbie doll bodies, crucifixes and adult novelty toys -- good for a chuckle, at least. Void of their usual stripper go-go dancers, the show was still far from tame.

Rev. Lower sang two songs as he swung from four flesh hooks attached to a rafter beam, his back bleeding. The crowd reacted with cheers and smoked heavily. Dreggs seemed pleasant in his 'Dead Girls Don't Say No' punker-pants T-shirt remnant, but though the band shocked with its show, the guys were fairly down-to-earth. Bassist Damien, whom I've never met in person until now, had a Mystery Addicts/dark poet look to him, though his riffs were deeply devilish, and Shrapnel put on a light show most do-it-yourself bands would envy, even shooting sparks from a metal grinder and having his own flesh pulled by partner-in-crime Rev. Lower. Staying true to the pure rock and Social Distortion-fueled guitar riffs he honed while performing in The Crotch Rockets and The Jackalopes, Ron T. brought a steady, familiar guitar lead to the music. He helped Only Flesh wind down with covers of 'Bang Your Head' by Quiet Riot and 'Halloween' by The Misfits, encouraging the bar's owner to invite them back in a few months.
- The Ugly Monkey