Hornet Fullerton College

4.9.08

Big Head Todd and the Monsters Go Bump in the Night

By Lynae Cook

 

Formed in 1986, Big Head Todd and the Monsters established a
following on the West Coast and by 1993 were well established across the United States.

A self-proclaimed "touring-based band," BHTM hasn't had a hit since their 1993 album "Sister Sweetly" went platinum. The disc featured several radio hits including the tracks "Bittersweet" and "Brokenhearted Savior."

Over the course of 15 years BHTM has released 15 full-length albums, six of which are live.

Twenty-two years is enough time to achieve a proficient in-person performance and judging by their show Friday night at the Troubadour, the Colorado-rooted band has more than succeeded in that department.

The Troubadour was fairly busy on Friday night, people were
captivated by the performance, no side conversations were to be heard over the '90s alternative rock din reminiscent of Counting Crows or Sister Hazel.

BHTM's fanbase seems to consist mainly of those whose
heyday was also that of the early '90s. But where their fans have peaked, Big Head Todd still presses on.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Todd Park Mohr carried the show with his natural charm and musical talents which resemble, yet far exceed those of John Mayer.

Mohr's spiraling guitar chords, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix,
beautifully pair with the many instrumental talents of Jeremy Lawton who plays keyboard, pedal steel guitar and vocals.

The two musicians served as a perfect compliment to one another throughout the night, particularly on the tracks that the band featured from their latest album "All the Love You Need."

The title track was a highlight of the evening, an easy flowing, aired and delicate composition that sent the audience into a riot of applause immediately following.

In all, BHTM showcased eight songs from the album which the band has been giving away to their audience in a highly
sucessful campaign.

So far 500,000 copies have been mailed to Big Head Todd fans at no cost to the consumer.

The interseting marketing solution seems to have been quite fruitful for the band, as the audience received each song from "All the Love You Need" with the same familiarty as the group's more classic tracks such as "It's Alright" and "Circle."

Opening with Dirty Juice, BHTM worked their way to the set's peak when they played the long awaited hit, "Bittersweet", upping the tempo for the rest of the night.

Park Mohr dusted off the harmonica during the performance and towards the end of the evening a saxophone was brought out as well, on which he played a brief yet capable solo.

By the end of the band's climactic encore BHTM proved to be a high-energy live performance, never falling short in quality.

After nearly a decade long abscence from the mainstream music market it is a pleasure to see the band in the limelight again.