Author: Cameron Kidd
It was about 17 degrees outside when the doors opened for The Underhills’ show at Madame Lou’s. Belltown’s sidewalks were unusually quiet for a Friday night. Maybe it was an effect of the weather or some lingering holiday spirit, but as attendees of all ages (over 21) trickled down the carpeted steps of the intimate, basement-level venue, hanging their coats on a rack by the bar, the scene began to feel like a family reunion. The band members radiated warmth as they wove through the crowd to greet old friends and meet new ones. When it was time for the show to start, the audience gathered around the knee-high stage and prepared for nearly two and a half uninterrupted hours of some of the best songs of the 70s, 80s, and 90s (plus a surprise from the 2000s).
I had never seen The Underhills play before. From what I had seen of other cover bands, I expected a group of enthusiastic dads paying tribute to their favorite songs. But The Underhills aren’t like other cover bands – this is a group of the most talented and enthusiastic dads you’ve ever seen. Each member of the band showcased their impressive musicianship time and time again without taking up any of the others’ space. The way they blend their talents on stage can only be attributed to their chemistry and genuine, apparent love for what they do. You can’t practice a thing like that.
Joining The Underhills on stage was solo artist Manisha, who has also opened for other acts in Seattle. Though Manisha’s Spotify and Instagram bios read, “with awkwardness & class,” her performance Friday night was all class. Taking center stage with The Underhills’ frontman, the Berklee grad showcased her impressive vocal chops, taking the lead in several high-energy songs and even performing one of her own. The singer’s musical theater background and obvious vocal talent, which also shine through in her solo projects, added expressiveness and sunny femininity to the all-male band’s already cheerful stage presence.
Throughout the band’s performance, I had one burning question: how are they going to close a show full of closers? From “Jesse’s Girl,” to “Mr. Brightside,” to “Come On Eileen” (which is itself a testament to the band’s skill level), I thought any song The Underhills finished with would have to seem underwhelming. After an energetic performance of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender,” guitarist Dave Dederer let the crowd know that we had come to the part of the evening where “we pretend to go away… and you guys start chanting… and then we come back.” Opting to skip that particular song and dance, the band dove into a dynamic performance of “Barracuda,” and let the audience down gently with Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News.” I think this was a wise way to close the show. After a night of music’s greatest hits, going out with a bang would have been nearly impossible. Instead, The Underhills went out with finesse.
If the performers were cheerful, the crowd was more so. Having been part of several somewhat antagonistic Seattle crowds, I can say that the audience at Madame Lou’s Friday night was one of the warmest and most joyful crowds I have ever participated in. I think it speaks to the kind of work that The Underhills are doing. Performing in a cover band is the kind of thing you only do because you love the music, and going to see a cover band is what you only do if you love the music. There’s magic to that. If you spot The Underhills on any upcoming event calendars, I highly recommend that you go.
Cameron Kidd | The Comeback Kidd | KXSU Music Reporter