[show_avatar email=julie@iwenttoashow.com align=left avatar_size=62] It was a Tuesday night in the middle of February, but four sweet-faced boys from Springfield, MO, and four road-wise post-punk sons of Ontario managed to whip an impressive crowd of St. Louisans into a hot, funky froth at the Firebird. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Tokyo Police Club were determined to bring it, in whatever form it could be broughten.

When last we saw a SSLYBY show, it was August, and Telekinesis sadly rather blew them out of the water. This time, after several turns of Broom and their new LP Let it Sway, I was ready. It was the last night of their tour with Tokyo Police Club, and SSLYBY was determined to go out with a bang. Instead of leading with Cardwell like last time, Phil Dickey started the set’s lead vocals, which was an excellent move. He pee-pee danced his way around the stage, warming up the crowd. Jonathan James’ drumming was controlled and beach-rounded, reminiscent of the Miniature Tigers. It wasn’t apparent how mellow he was until the half-way mark when Dickey passed his guitar to Cardwell and hopped behind the drumkit, sending James up to play bass. Holy crap, did he ever wail! I think he had 27 candy bars and a six pack of root beer. Not to be outdone, after their last song (with the guys from TPC playing tambourine and cowbell), Will Knauer (guitar) crashed through the drum kit, laying on the floor for several minutes with his feet in the air.

SSLYBY Video (Back in the Saddle)

Tokyo Police Club couldn’t compete with the frenetic energy of a Springfield band saying goodbye to the limelight, especially since Dave Monks immediately confessed with an eye-level hand gesture, “This is the weather, and I am just slightly under it.” He kept on singing, but he was not very happy about it. Three songs in, he teased the audience. “I’m going to need your help on this one. I need you all to leave, go to Walgreens.” Threatened mid-show ‘Tussin run notwithstanding, TPC’s loyal fans were right with them for the entire set, and it got sweaty. Any animation Monks was lacking, Graham Wright (keys) more than made up for with his mesmerizing dance moves.

TPC Video (Be Good + Bambi)

Check out Bob McMahon’s Review at the Riverfront Times

and photographer Jason Stoff’s Slideshow at the Riverfront Times

and photographer Katie Guymon’s pictures for Speakers in Code.