Something’s Transpiring with the Women of the Tenderloin
Posted by admin | Filed under Event, Music
Heather Spellacy | Staff Writer
Sky Madden and Chris Moore of Women of the Tenderloin play a gig at a local house party. (Photo Courtesy of Lulu McAllister)
Last week I, Heather Spellacy, ventured into the depths of a tiny apartment somewhere on Fulton for a local house party. Big announcement, huh? I’m a college student, that should be my weekend ritual. Well, house parties aren’t my thing. No, in no way… especially in San Francisco. Houses, or more often than not apartments, are so small already. Besides the wall-to-wall people, the person I usually am stuck in front of is someone I don’t want to talk to or have never met. Thus, I wiggle in and out, knocking peoples drinks, falling into walls trying to escape the awkward staring.
So, what, I’m a masochist? I enjoy paining myself by attending events I can’t stand? Not usually. Generally I’m very level-headed, I stick to the usual. But this house party wasn’t your average run of the mill kegger where god-awful rap music is played from an iHome. This house party boasted live music from on-campus performers Sky Madden and Chris Moore’s band Women of the Tenderloin.
Chris Moore gets his noise on. (Photo courtesy of Lulu McAllister)
I knew I had to go the minute Sky shot me an invite. (The flyers were pretty awesome) I’d seen them perform at an Ignatian event sometime last semester. They were, how could I even describe it? They were weird. Really weird. I don’t think I ever knew what was going on during the set; I suppose it added to the intrigue, though.
I knew they’d spent many hours practicing prior to the party, and I think I might have actually heard the term “set list” uttered from Sky sometime the week before. Set list meant that they had actual songs this time. So all I could do was drink some coffee and maybe a Red Bull or two and drag myself to this party, a half-hearted smile plastered on my face.
Well, my preconceived notions of what to expect at a house party were in no way wrong. The house was packed. There wasn’t breathable space anywhere, in any room, in the entire place. The only hope for sub-sahara temperatures was the door leading to the balcony/fire escape.
I spent most of my time outside waiting for band to begin. Call me a party-pooper, I could care less. Twelve packs of cigarettes later all the lights in the house went off and I heard amps crackle to life. I pushed my way through the crowd, which was reaching around 200 by now, so I could better see Sky and Chris.
Sky Madden in a dress. The result... bueno. (Photo courtesy of Lulu McAllister)
I suppose it’s important to mention that one of the most incredible things about the evening was seeing Sky in a dress. Yes, Sky Madden was wearing a dress… amazing, I know. Though, I would be remiss in not mentioning Chris’ apparel as well. He looked spiffy as usual in a crisp button-up, tie and jeans. Not forgetting the bloody (fake… I hope) patch of gauze tucked between his eye and his pair of old-school glasses (one lens MIA).
As the music began it was clear that this show was quite the departure from the last. Each of their electro-noise (what are they calling it these days?) beats was synchronized with one another and the lyrics actually pertained to the music I heard. I started dancing without even thinking, as did many of the other partygoers. The set lasted about an hour (maybe I’m wrong, I lost track of time) but was never dull. The small setting allowed for remarks from both the band and the crowd.
All in all I enjoyed every minute of the music… not so much the crowd. Women of the Tenderloin… play at a venue, please!
Tags: band, Chris Moore, Fulton, house party, live, Music, sky madden, Women of the Tenderloin
