I have no pictures, so don’t ask. I wish I did but I forgot to grab my camera and by the time I thought about it, I was too late. But one thing did happen last night: I made the very credible threat that Loudersoft may become the VHS or Beta blog for the next several months.

Opening act Ron Franklin delivered the inspired bluesy, soul-infused sound I’ve come to expect. Twin Pilot delivered an empassioned set of Euro-influenced indie rock that sets them apart from all other bands from Memphis.

But the night belonged to VHS or Beta, a band whose year-long hiatus has clearly been a period of tremendous growth, one whose songwriting remains as infectious as their energy and optimism. Tearing through a set of mostly new material from the forthcoming Bring On The Comets, their set started with frontman Craig Pfunder noting that they “usually do this very dramatic entrance” which they couldn’t do because of how the Hi-Tone was set up. Peering into the crowd, he let everyone know that sitting down “isn’t going to work, it’s too much like a movie” then rightly demanded the crowd at the Hi-Tone to “move forward or we’re just going to stand here and wait”. I think for bands that come to Memphis, this is probably the best thing you can ever ask a crowd to do because it keeps everyone energized and alert.

Once everyone was in place, the band launched two songs off of their soon-to-be-released album before revisiting 2004’s Night On Fire in the guise of “You Got Me”. It became clear: the exceptionally tight delivery from co-founders bassist Mark Palgy and drummer Mark Guidry proved that, as with any really funky band, the rhythm is the glue. Around this time, Craig asked the audience, “Is anyone planning to dance?” The audience not only obliged but even your reviewer dug firmly into the groove as the band fired off the first single from BOTC, entitled “Can’t Believe a Single Word”. By the time “Burn It All Down” came through the speakers, the crowd was in full motion. Closing out their set with NOF track “Alive” and the title track, “Bring On The Comets”, the stunned crowd wandered around applauding and cheering for a full ten minutes before being graced with an encore.

From time to time, bands come through Memphis with a presence; bands like these don’t just wander around aimlessly, they effortlessly astound the audience. You see these bands and you just know that you’re going to wake up one day and, much like comets themselves, the band’s reach will extend far beyond our stratosphere. VHS or Beta have this undeniable gift, this unbridled mythological phantasm that wisps around them during their show. If they come to your city and you miss them, it should be a crime.