Do you believe in ghosts? Creepy crawlies living in the shadows of the Queen City?
After today, you just might.
Late some nights at local haunts like MOTR Pub or Northside Yacht Club, the dead have a tendency to get a little rowdy. Dead Humor, that is.
This distinctly retro rock-and-roll act has been funking all over town for the better part of a decade – 2018’s self-titled debut proved that any day could be “Groovesday,” and the band has been trucking around playing energetic rock shows ever since.
“So what,” I hear you say, “another funky live act with ‘dead’ in the name? How original.”
But dear reader, you misunderstand. These dead aren’t here to jam, although there’s plenty of fancy guitar work to be had across their discography – they want you to dance ’til you die.
Dead Humor cut through the jams with a hard rock edge on 2024’s “Dance ‘til You Die,” a full hour of studio tracks that showcase not only frontman Anthony Palmer’s leadership (and German speaking skills, inexplicably), but the connection the whole band shares.
On tracks like “Downward Dog,” Tony Dellalio’s guitar takes center stage with huge, chunky riffs that carry the track. Other songs like “Do You Believe in Ghosts?” highlight the bass guitar and drums, easing through without losing momentum. Palmer’s vocals, though, whether subdued or belting over distorted grooves, carries an attitude that keeps it light and fun.
But this is the thing about groovy bands: From the Grateful Dead to Rage Against the Machine, they’re live acts first. Not only is it your moral duty to patronize small businesses, but a studio album from a band like Dead Humor is only half the story.
This is the truth for every local band, but doubly so now: Go see a show. If you really want to experience local music in the way it was intended, you’ll have to get out in the world. It’s truly the only way to fully experience the connection a band has with their fans and each other.
You can find last week’s feature on Mic.Carr and the Shades here. Leave a comment on our Instagram or email me at ebloomfield@linknky.com with your suggestions for next week’s local band highlight!