Before Texas-based quartet Dexter and the Moonrocks could even take the stage at The Fillmore on Friday night, dozens in the crowd were already chanting, “Fuck Cheez-Its.” Yes, if you were in attendance, you didn’t mishear that. For the uninitiated, there is a lore behind the aggressive anti-cracker war cries.
See, Dexter and the Moonrocks once made it a tradition of sorts to hand out Cheez-Its, their favorite snack, at all of their shows. After a few years of doing so, the band members thought maybe the marketing folks in the corporate Cheez-It offices might want to sponsor them in some way.
The company has balked thus far, which has drawn the ire of fans and sent the band looking for a new favorite snack.
Amidst these inside-joke chants, the Western Space Grunge band put on a solid rock show on Friday night. Fans were all in from the start and the band appeared to be having just as much fun. They even found the time to recognize a fan’s sign calling for them to perform “Sunday Dress.” That song is from the band’s original iteration, James Tuffs and the Southern Trouble, in case the Cheez-It chant didn’t convince you of just how well-informed this crowd was.
Singer/guitarist Tuffs paced around the sparse stage from time to time, walking back toward the drum riser, which was flanked by two moon men and an inflatable spaceship. While he didn’t say too much to the crowd, there seemed to be a connection on a deeper level with those who had packed the Music Factory venue.
The night opened with a set from Boone’s Cigarettes @ Sunset. The band acknowledged Dexter and the Moonrocks for changing their lives by taking them out on tour. With similar indie-rock styles, it was no surprise to see the bands join together for the final song of the night, “Sad in Carolina.”
Pay attention to Cigarettes @ Sunset — judging by audience reaction and participation, they’ll be headlining stages like this soon enough.
The bands are booked to continue touring through the end of spring.
Setlist
Where I Steer
Space Invader
Messed Up Kid
Sarahtonin
Cry
Bleach
West of Where I Am
Sunday Dress
Freaking Out
All Your Friends Still Scare Me
Freaks
Say I
Flavorless
Birds and the Bees
She Likes Girls
Basket Case
Couch
Wet
Ritalin
Encore
Sad in Carolina
Be sure to check out Queen City Nerve’s Soundwave, Charlotte’s most comprehensive live music listing, so you don’t miss out on any shows or concerts coming up. And hell, if you’re looking for something else to do, you can check out our events page as well, which runs the gamut of things to do in Charlotte. You don’t ever have to be bored again. You can check out more of Jeff’s pics and live reviews here.
