Click Click: The Kills @ 9:30 Club

Following were the Horrors, a shoe gaze by way of punk band from the good old U.K. Their front man, Faris Badwan, kept the audience on their toes with gut wrenching squeals and tortured howls, at times from the far rear reaches of the stage to straight in their faces. An unexpectedly light mood in the evening arose when, for the closing song of the set, Faris shoved his microphone down a member of the crowd's shirt which led to a couple of mic-grappling young men's take on his crooning to blast through the 9:30 Club speakers. Faris gleamed a solitary smile for the night as the band vanished from the stage.

The Kills finished off the crowd with just two moving bodies, some guitars, and the thrill of rock 'n' roll. Defiantly lighting their cigarettes in the darkness of the barren 9:30 Club stage, they stood as monuments of garage as it should be, sheer attitude.

The Kills consist of Alison Mosshart, formerly of Florida punks Discount, and Jamie Hince. Alison is quite a sight to see. She electrifies the stage, pouring soulful notes over angular drum beats and buzz-saw guitar riffs. Young, eager fans sang along to all their songs, but especially to highlights "Tape Song" and "Cheap and Cheerful".

The evening's encore brought a very special event: Hince invited Stewart Lupton, formerly of the influential DC/NY band Johnathon Fire*Eater, out to perform a tune with them. Lupton still has it, careening through the tune, but he definitely disappeared from the stage too soon. After it all, as any great performance should end, The Kills clasped hands and gave the crowd a gracious bow and a fond farewell.