Dressy Bessy – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016

Dressy Bessy, Old Monk & The Not Fur Longs – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2016

Despite inhuman wind chill factors outside, Saturday night was a rock and roll workshop inside Boot & Saddle. The garage rock aesthetics of Dressy Bessy brought out a sizable Philly contingent to dance along to a swift 20-song set.

Fronted by the electric antics of Tammy Ealom, the guitar gusto of John Hill, the drumming of Craig Gilbert and new bassist Jeff Fuller, they played behind their newly minted 2016 LP Kingsized, their first record in eight years. Compact in length and vast in their jangle and catchiness, Dressy Bessy’s songs had the crowd dancing and smiling from first chord to last.

Dressy Bessy – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016

There were the signature leaps of Ealom, which, when matched with her guitar picking, made quite a 1-2 punch for the eyes and ears. And there were even a couple of lovebirds who took part in a pre-Valentine’s Day proposal on stage (yes, the lady did give the affirmative to the gentleman). Taking the show to last moments of the 11 PM curfew at Boot & Saddle, Dressy Bessy did not leave a single patron unsatisfied.

The Not Fur Longs – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016

Two openers readied the crowd. Collingswood, NJ based The Not Fur Longs delivered some alt rock opening vibes. Dripping with hooks and swift earworms, they were an engaging act that is worth catching up with.

Old Monk – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016

Brooklyn-ites Old Monk followed. The three-piece had an angular artier sensibility, with guitar moments that deceived the ears with possible endings that were nowhere in sight. Any chills that remained from the frigid outside were now gone, as the rock punches of The Not Fur Longs and Old Monk readied all.

Chris Sikich

Copyright ©2016 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: February 15, 2016.

Photos by Chris Sikich © 2016